MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead soccer is set to conclude the 2025 campaign in a Highway 75 Rivalry Rock match with Minnesota Crookston. Action from Crookston, Minn., is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday. 

Live video and stats will be available at msumdragons.com. Moorhead (3-13-1, 2-12 NSIC) is coming off a pair of losses to UMary and Minot State last weekend. 

Last Time Out...The Dragons and Golden Eagles have already matched up this season in non-conference action. On September 12, Minnesota Crookston defeated the Dragons by a 1-0 count in Moorhead. The loss moved MSUM's record to 6-5-2 in Highway 75 Rivalry Rock games as the Golden Eagles claimed the traveling trophy for the first time since the 2021 season. 

The Rock...The Highway 75 Rivalry Rock trophy is the lone traveling trophy in NSIC soccer after its establishment ahead of the 2013 season. The two schools are just a short 69 mile drive from one another with both institutions using Minnesota State Highway 75 to travel. At the time of its inception, Dragon head soccer coach Rollie Bullock said "Minnesota Crookston and the Dragons have been rivals for a long time. It just feels natural for someone to walk away with a trophy with this rivalry. The trophy is something to play for and it gets the players excited for that upcoming game."

Dishing 'Em Out...Sophomore midfielder Mary Cox again showcased her facilitating abilities for the Dragons last weekend. Against Minot State, Cox delivered a lovely low pass that was served up for teammate Lilly Johnson. The senior put the ball away, providing the Dragons a 1-0 lead early in the match. For Cox, it is her fourth assist of the season. Cox's four assists this season is the most by a Dragon since Jessica Dallman and Lindsey Micheletti in 2015.

Johnson Surging...The aforementioned senior Johnson netted her third goal of the 2025 season against the Beavers on Sunday. The three goals scored by Johnson this season is tied for the team lead along with Brooklyn Broderick and Ana Cecilia Walker. The North Branch, Minn., native also leads the Dragons with seven total points in 2025.

Minute Markers...Senior Lizzy Jaraczeski is nearing the top ten all-time in minutes played for a season as the year's final match looms. Jaraczeski has tallied 1,463 minutes this season, just nine ticks off the 10th-most in program history (Kendell Schauer). Additionally, the sophomore Cox is poised to join the top ten as well having played in 1,408 minutes so far this season. 

Scott Forster is in his second season as MSUM's head soccer coach. 

Scouting The Opposition

Minnesota Crookston
2025 Record: 1-13-3 (0-12-2 NSIC)
2024 Record: 1-15-2 (1-12-1 NSIC)
Head Coach: Danny Burstein (1st Season)
Nickname: Golden Eagles
Top Eagle: Elise Lefers (698 minutes, 2 goals, 9 SOG)