The University of Minnesota Duluth soccer team will open conference play this weekend with a two-game homestand against Minot State University on Friday, September 17 and the University of Mary on Sunday, September 19. 

Friday's conference opener against Minot will also mark the program's annual Mental Health Awareness game, in partnership with the Student-Athlete Advisory Council, or SAAC. Their campaign, called the Green Bandana Project, aims to decrease the stigma of mental illness within the athletic department and university as a whole, support those who are struggling with mental illness, and spread mental health resources and awareness. The Green Bandana Project focuses on reminding student-athletes and community members that "they are too important to feel alone, and that mental health should be treated the same as physical health."

In UMD's last matchup against Minot, the Bulldogs came away with a 1-0 win at home, with the game winner scored by Sarah Stange. Goalkeeper Sophia Grenz, then a sophomore, played all 90 minutes and came away with seven saves and a clean sheet.

The Bulldogs will hope to put their past behind them when they face off against the University of Mary on Sunday. When the teams played last in November 2019 -- unbeknownst at the time one of the last games the Bulldogs would play until this season -- the Marauders would come away with a 4-0 win on their home turf. 

Another UMD Soccer student-athlete will recognize her Kicks for Causes organization at Sunday's game as well. Senior Ebelin Morales Benites chose the National Kidney Foundation as her cause this year. She says she chose the organization because "it's easy for people with kidney disease to feel alone in their struggle because like many invisible illnesses, it's not transparent what someone suffering from kidney failure or chronic kidney disease might go through on a day to day basis. That's why organizations like the National Kidney Foundation are so important--because they remind people with kidney disease that they aren't alone, and that there are so many people out there who want to help."

Kickoff for Friday's game is set for 6:00pm at Malosky Stadium. For the full 2021 season schedule, click here.