Opening weekend did not go as planned for the University of Minnesota Duluth, but the Bulldogs will look to bounce back this week in their final road non-conference test before the team's home opener on Sunday.
UMD (0-2) still found itself ranked ninth regionally in the initial National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Central Region poll, but dropped out of national Top 25 this week after dropping a pair to No. 21 the University of Central Missouri (ranked third), and Southwest Baptist University (sixth). Along with looking to notch a victory, UMD will hope for better weather as they return to the Northland. A storm delay of over 90 minutes stopped play in the Bulldogs' match agaisnt Southwest Baptist in the 87th minute. Despite a late charge, the Bearcats would prevail 1-0.
QUICK KICKS• The Bulldogs were held scoreless in back-to-back matches for the first time since Sept. 15-16, 2012 and will look to rebound against a pair of teams they outscored 6-2 in meetings last season.
• Junior forward
Sheridan Reiners had an impressive debut for the Bulldogs with three shots, helping senior forward
Maureen Stormont on the UMD front line. Stormont was held without a shot Sunday for the first time since last September 8 against NCAA I North Dakota State University.
• Freshman goalkeeper
Jordan Melby made four saves in a hard-luck loss in her collegiate debut on Friday evening, with senior goalkeeper
Marissa Rosa taking over the starting duties Saturday and collecting four saves as well.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS (Friday, Sept. 12 - 4:00 p.m. EST) -
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• Northern Michigan (0-2) dropped a pair of matches to start the season, falling to St. Cloud State 0-1, and another Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) foe Winona State by a 4-1 score.
• Freshman midfielder Anna Cook scored the team's lone goal of the season, with an assist from senior Ashley Katers.
• Sophomore goalkeeper Caroline Glantz started both matches for the Wildcats, making twelve saves and posting a 1.66 ERA. She's been spelled by Alexandra Simmons in the second half of each match, who has just three saves compared to three goals allowed (a 3.78 GAA).
• UMD is 12-3-3 all-time against Northern Michigan, including a 2-1 victory at Malosky Stadium last season on Sept. 5, 2013.
SCOUTING THE HUSKIES (Sunday, Sept. 14 - 1:00 p.m.) -
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• St. Cloud State (1-1) opened the season with a win over Northern Michigan before falling to Michigan Tech in its second match. The Huskies return home to host Emporia State on Friday afternoon before traveling to UMD.
• The Huskies have scored just one goal on the season, and it was creditted as an own goal. The goal was set-up by a corner kick from Gabby Fleck that was headed by Kara Espinosa. Three players, including Fleck, lead the way with three shots on the season -- all on-goal.
• Sophomore Brittany Plombon has made 13 saves, posting a 1.00 GAA and .867 save percentage while playing every match between starts.
• The Bulldogs are 15-7-4 in program history against St. Cloud State, knocking off the Huskies 4-1 in St. Cloud last season on Sept. 15, 2013.
KICKS FOR A CAUSEBulldog seniors have each chosen an organization and cause to promote at home games throughout the season. This week,
Jennifer Smith and
Maureen Stormont have chosen the Support-a-Client fund at the Robert F. Pierce Speech & Hearing Clinic at UMD.
The Robert F. Pierce Speech and Hearing Clinic is a clinic here at UMD that offers services to the Duluth community. Both kids and adults can receive speech and hearing services at the RFP clinic by UMD students and faculty. Smith and Stormont are involved in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at UMD. As student interns this semester, they work directly with clients of all ages. The "Support-a-Client" fund helps these clients pay for the services they need. All donations from today's game will go directly back to the RFP Clinic to help support those clients in need of speech and hearing services.
For more details on Kicks for a Cause,
click here.
The Bulldogs will look to regain their winning edge from a season ago as they take on the Wildcats in Marquette, Michigan, beginning at 3:00 p.m. local Duluth time on Friday.
