MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead soccer is set to begin the home portion of its schedule this weekend in NSIC action. The Dragons host Sioux Falls on Friday at 3 p.m. before battling Southwest Minnesota State on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Live video and stats will be available at msumdragons.com. Midco Sports Plus will be the official streaming home of MSUM athletics. MSUM is coming off a split week of NSIC results, defeating Wayne State 1-0 before falling to Augustana, 2-1.

Claiming Weekly Honors...After a strong week of results in net, sophomore goalkeeper Emilia Bukholt Kristensen collected NSIC Goalkeeper of the Week honors. Kristensen led the NSIC in saves per game for the week, stalling 17 shots for an 8.5 saves per game clip. So far this season, Kristensen leads the NSIC with 39 total saves. The Poulstrup, Denmark, native saved six shots and earned a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Wayne State on Friday. Kristensen would follow that up with 11 more saves against Augustana on Sunday. 

What A Ball!...Junior midfielder Sophie Thompson was the difference maker in MSUM's 1-0 shutout of Wayne State last Friday. Thompson scored the game's lone goal off an assist from senior Lilly Allen. The Auckland, New Zealand, native would see a lane for a shot attempt, firing a ball to the top right corner of the net. Thompson's mark was near perfection, bending over the outstretched arms of the Wildcat keeper for her first goal of 2026.  Thompson's score also served as a game-winning goal, the second of her Dragon career. 

Short-Handed? No Problem...Moorhead had one of its freshman talents show out in Sunday's match versus Augustana. Manchester's own Clara Butler collected a breakway opportunity in the second half off a crafty look from Abby Toso. Butler showcased her speed and scoring prowess all in a 10 second sprint, dashing upfield with no mark in front of her. The true freshman used some shifty dribbling to create space in her sprint to the net. Butler would fire off a tight lob shot that found the back of the net for her first career goal. The forward is second on the roster with six total shot attempts this season. 

Dishing And Diving...In just five matches so far this season, Moorhead is already halfway to passing their overall assist total from 2025. The Dragons dished out eight total assists during the 2025 season. MSUM's four assists this season have all come from different players in Allen, Toso, Thompson and Mary Cox. Moorhead is also on pace to amass its overall goal total from a season ago as well (13). 

Matchup History...The Cougars have won the previous two matchups with the Dragons, including a 5-0 victory a season ago. Sioux Falls and MSUM have tied a total of four time in the series history. The Dragons have only defeated the Cougars once all-time, a 2-0 win on October 13, 2012. Moorhead holds the most recent victory in its series with the Mustangs, defeating SMSU 3-2 a season ago. Overall, the squads have split the last 10 meetings with Southwest Minnesota State holding a slight edge (16-15-3) in the all-time series.

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

Opponent Scout

Sioux Falls
2026 Record: 2-2-1 (0-1-1 NSIC)
2025 Record: 6-10-2 (4-9-2 NSIC)
Head Coach: Andy Janssen (1st Season)
Nickname: Cougars
Top Returner: Addison Van Zee (Jr., 2 goals, 11 shots)

Southwest Minnesota State
2026 Record: 0-4-1 (0-2 NSIC)
2025 Record: 3-15 (2-13 NSIC)
Head Coach: Clay Glasgow (5th Season)
Nickname: Mustangs
Top Returner: Illjana Arbaugh (Sr., 1 goal, 3 shots)