The University of Minnesota Duluth will head south for a pair of first-time matches with NCAA II Central Region Tournament teams from 2013 at the University of Central Missouri Season Opener.
The No. 8 Bulldogs got a chance to see Southwest Baptist University a year ago as UMD hosted the team's NCAA Tournament match-up with Winona State at Malosky Stadium but will be going up against the Bearcats for the first time in program history on Friday afternoon. Sunday, UMD faces off with the host Jennies from Central Missouri, who were also up-ended in the Central Regional in 2013.
QUICK KICKS• UMD returns a 10-member senior class, including team captains midfielders
Jennifer Smith and
Hannah Keil, as well as 2014 NSIC Preseason Player of the Year
Maureen Stormont. Stormont is on-pace to become UMD's all-time leading scorer if she continues at her career rate, while Smith is charging up the ranks for assists, with 19 in her career. Five on the season will move her to third all-time, while 14 will make her number one.
• Senior defenders
Megan Helberg,
Kelli Klun, and
Riley Allen all return after All-NSIC selections a year ago in front of 2013 NSIC All-Tournament Team goalkeeper
Marissa Rosa, who tied a program record for goalkeeper wins a season ago with 17.
• UMD welcomes five newcomers in first-year midfielders
Emily Fleissner,
Hayley Loney, and
Anna Morrison, along with freshman forward
Hailey Hoff and junior transfer
Sheridan Reiners (Minnesota). Sophomore transfer
Skye Finley will sit out 2014 after transferring from St. Cloud State University.
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS (Friday, Sept. 5 - 4:00 p.m.) -
Live Stats |
Live Video
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Southwest Baptist finished 2013 with a 14-5-2 overall record and 7-4-0 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), its season ending on penalty kicks after a 1-all draw against Winona State University at the Central Region Tournament. SBU finished with a second-place prediction in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.
• The Bearcats graduated 2013 Daktronics All-American First Teamer Ashley Creason, but return junior Daktronics Central Region Second Teamers Karla and Kate Jamison. The Jamison twins combined for 17 goals and eight assists. Karla's ten goals tied Creason for the team lead. Sophomore Elin Hammar finished fourth on the team in scoring during her first go-around at SBU.
• Goalkeeper Paige Hemphill graduated after the 2013 season and signed a professional contract to continue her career in Sweden. Sophomore Kylie Young is the only returning 'keeper with any experience, and just one half under her belt, but junior college transfer Cheyenne Forshey will look to compete for the top spot entering the season.
SCOUTING THE JENNIES (Sunday, Sept. 6 - 1:00 p.m.) -
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Live Video
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Central Missouri was picked for a first-place finish in the MIAA after going 14-4-2 a season ago, including a 9-1-1 conference mark. Like SBU, the Jennies saw their season come to an end in the opening round of the NCAA Central Regional, falling 3-1 to Southwest Minnesota State University of the NSIC.
• The Jennies graduated their top goalscorer from a season ago, but return 20-point scorers in junior Julie Ireland and sophomore Hannah Pyle. UCM graduated a pair of National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Americans in Becky Lackey and defender Carly Stanley. Returning forward Erin Robinson is the lone senior on a young Jennies squad in 2013.
• The graduating Jessica Grindstaff and her sophomore back-up each departed from the Jennies, leaving Central with a hole to be filled by one of two first-year players in Madison Boyken and Ana Dilkes.
BULLDOG 'BYTE"It'll be a new challenge for us. Playing inside our region is important this season, but I think we're ready for it. It'll probably be the two most important matcheswe play all season." - senior captain
Jennifer Smith on opening the season against tough competition
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