The University of Minnesota Duluth soccer team will host a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matches this weekend inside James S. Malosky Stadium on Griggs Field. The Bulldogs kick the weekend off against Minot State University on Friday at 6:00 p.m. before taking on the University of Mary on Sunday at noon.

KICKS FOR CAUSES CONTINUES: Friday night's cause will feature The Arc Northland, the cause chosen by senior midfielder Malory Russ. The Arc Northland's mission at Arc Northland is to promote and protect the human rights of people with disabilities and their families while actively supporting full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetime. To learn more about The Arc Northland, click here

On Sunday, senior midfielder Sarah Osborne will shine a light on ?Northern Lights Foundation, whose mission provides financial support to local families with children facing life-threatening illnesses. To find out more about the Northern Lights Foundation, click here.

WEEKEND PREVIEW: 

vs. Minot State: All-time, the Bulldogs are 4-8-5 against the Beavers after falling to MSU 2-1 last season in Minot, ND. UMD is just 2-3 in its last five home games against the Beavers, and 3-7 in its last 10 games overall. MSU has outscored UMD 13-5 in those last 10 head-to-head matches.

In the two sides last meeting on Oct. 11, 2024, the Beavers struck in the 53rd minute but the Bulldogs equalized just over three minutes later on a goal from then freshman Gwendolyn Lilly. But MSU was awarded a penalty kick with 45 seconds left in regulation and escaped with the 2-1 win. The Beavers outshot the Bulldogs 16-2 in the contest though each team had a corner kick attempt.

Currently the Beavers are 2-4-1 on the season and 2-1-1 in NSIC play. MSU earned to wins on the road last weekend – a 1-0 triumph over Concordia University St. Paul  Friday before defeating Winona State University 4-1 in Winona, Minn. Freshman forward Anna Miotto leads the Beavers with seven goals and two assists.

UMD and Minot State are one of four teams tied for fifth right now with a 2-1-1 record in NSIC play.

vs. Mary: UMD owns a 8-7-5 edge all-time against the Marauders but is just 1-5-4 over their last 10 games. Over that span, the Bulldogs are 1-3-1 at home and will be looking for their first win against Mary since the 2014 season. Since then, UMD has gone just 0-5-4. In their last 10 games, the Marauders have outscored the Bulldogs 16-11.

Last season, Mary slipped past UMD 3-2 behind two first half goals – including a penalty shot – and goal at the 73:24 mark. The Bulldogs got two goals from both Anna Tobias (59:50) and Miriam Marsan (86:38). Mary outshot UMD on goal 12-5.

The Marauders are 2-3-2 overall so far this season and 0-2-2 picking up ties against Winona State (0-0) on the road and CSP (1-1) in St. Paul, Minn. Freshman forward Dina Polanco leads Mary with four goals so far this season.

LAST TIME OUT: The Bulldogs dropped two NSIC games on the road last weekend, settling for a 1-1 tie against Wayne State University in Wayne, Neb. Friday afternoon before Augustana University shutout UMD 3-0 Sunday in Sioux Falls, SD. Senior forward Morgan Eckerle had the lone Bulldog goal against the Wildcats Friday.

UMD enters the weekend 3-2-2 overall and 2-1-1 in NSIC action.

LEADERS OF THE PACK: Sophomore forward Kaitlyn Beavers leads UMD with seven points on three goals and one assist, while senior Elaina Shromoff has recorded three goals for six points. Senior goaltender Kaycee Chavez has a 1.14 goals against average and has already posted three shutouts this season.

As a team, UMD is averaging 1.43 goals per game so far while allowing an average of 1.14. The Bulldogs continue to tower over their opponents in corner kicks – UMD has attempted 46 while allowing their foes just 17. UMD ranks third in the NSIC for corner kicks and is averaging 6.43 attempts a game.