The University of Minnesota Duluth women's soccer team will continue on the road this weekend as it kicks off NSIC play against St. Cloud State University on Sunday afternoon.
 
The Bulldogs started off 2013 with a home victory versus Northern Michigan last week before slipping against Division I North Dakota State last Sunday.
 
After requiring a five-game undefeated streak to crack the postseason in 2012, the Bulldogs will look to start out NSIC play strong against the Huskies.
 
The Opponent

 
Sophomore Brittany Plombon opened her season with two shutouts between the pipes for the Huskies, tallying 20 saves to earn NSIC Goalkeeper of the Week honors for her performance. St. Cloud scored just one goal in each of their games, the first by sophomore Ally Herod and second by junior Taige Thoreson.
 
Head coach Becky McCabe is now the winningest coach in St. Cloud history with her pair of wins to start the season.

The Bulldogs are 14-7-4 all-time against the Huskies but fell when opening NSIC play against SCSU by a 2-1 score last season. Live video of the match will be available at St. Cloud State's website or by clicking here.
 
The Line-Up
UMD opened play against a pair of tough opponents, first downing Northern Michigan in front of their home fans at Malosky Stadium.
 
Junior Maureen Stormont got the Bulldogs on the board first in the early minutes of the match and now ranks in the top 10 for points and goals in career scoring at UMD. She had eight shots to lead UMD last year. Senior forward Dani Potter booted her first goal of the season on a penalty shot against Northern Michigan. She was the subject of Bulldog Spotlight this week, available here.

Junior midfielder Kelli Klun scored UMD's lone goal against the tough Bison defense of Division I North Dakota State, with an assist going to freshman Marissa Ganske.

The opening frame has been the strongest for UMD, with 17 shots including seven on-net in the opening 45 minutes of matches and just seven in the latter half. That being said, the Bulldogs have scored two goals on two on-target shots in the second half of games. Juniors Riley Allen and Ana Zdechlik have anchored UMD's defense in front of sophomore goalkeeper Marissa Rosa, allowing just 10 shots on net.
 
UMD returns to Malosky Stadium in two weeks for more NSIC action and will hope to be riding the momentum of a victory over St. Cloud State. Sunday's match is set for a 1:00 p.m. kick-off.