SIOUX FALLS- The University of Sioux Falls Soccer squad, led by head coach Brittany Domino, will look to improve on their 2-10-1, 2-7-1 record when St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth come to Sioux Falls on Friday and Sunday, respectively, for Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSIC) action.
The Rundown (2019 Record):
Fri., Oct. 24, 6 p.m. vs. St. Cloud State Huskies (6-3-3, 5-2-2 NSIC)
Sun., Oct. 26, 12 p.m. vs. Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (4-7-2, 2-6-2 NSIC)
St. Cloud State Huskies (6-3-3, 5-2-2 NSIC):
(Last five matches- TLWWW)
The Huskies, led by sixth-year Gretta Arvesen, have a record of 6-3-3, and 5-2-2 in NSIC matches. To start the season, the Huskies had three home non-conference matches, going 1-2 with a 3-2 win over the Bridgeport (Conn.) Knights, concluding non-conference action for the Huskies.
In their first six matches of their conference slate, the Huskies went 2-2-2, tying with Bemidji State and Wayne State. Their wins of the stretch came against Minnesota Crookston and Minnesota State. The losses came to Concordia-St. Paul and Augustana.
Since then, the Huskies have won three straight against Northern State, Upper Iowa, and Winona State.
Leading their offense is sophomore Claire Shea who has scored four goals, including the regulation and golden goal against Minnesota State in their 2-1 victory over the then-No. 2 team in the nation. Shea has also recorded two assists on the season.
Sophomore Zoe Welsh has played all 1,168 minutes in the net that the Huskies have taken the pitch. Welsh has allowed only 11 goals, while saving 55 more.
Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (4-7-2, 2-6-2 NSIC):
(Last five matches- LWTLT)
The Bulldogs, led by 25th-year head coach Greg Cane, their first and only coach in program history, are 4-7-2, 2-6-2 in conference. Much like St. Cloud State, the Bulldogs faced the same three opponents with better results, beating Northern Michigan and Bridgeport (Conn.) and falling in 2OT to Michigan Tech.
The Huskies started NSIC action with a 4-0 home victory over Minnesota Crookston. What ensued for the Bulldogs was a true test of mettle, dropping five straight matches that included a 2OT lose to No. 3 Minnesota State.
Their last win came against Northern State, beating the Wolves 2-0 in Aberdeen. They then played MSU Moorhead in Aberdeen that same weekend, a game that ended in a 1-1 tie. Last weekend, the Bulldogs lost 1-0 at home to Winona State before having another 1-1 tie, that time to Upper Iowa.
The Bulldogs have leaned heavily on senior Emily Hinz, the scorer of six goals and assisting on another. Hinz has taken 20 shots, 11 of which went on goal.
Sophomore Sophia Grenz has handled all the goalkeeping duties, allowing 15 goals and saved 66 more in 1,219 minutes played.
Sioux Falls Cougars (2-10-1, 2-7-1):
(Last five matches- WLLLL)
The Cougars, who are 2-10-1, 2-7-1 in NSIC matches, will take the pitch in what could shape to be two heavily competitive matches against St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth. The Cougars started the season with a home match against Fort Hays State, a match that concluded in a very tough-fought 1-0 loss to the Tigers. The Cougars then had two heartbreaking losses in Missouri to conclude their non-conference slate.
Returning to Sioux Falls to start NSIC action, the Cougars had two battles against Wayne State and Augustana, the first of which ended in a 1-0, 2OT loss, then a scoreless tie with in-city rival Augustana.
In their next match, the Cougars earned their first win of the season against MSU Moorhead in Moorhead, Minn.
The Cougars got their first win at home against Minnesota Crookston and former USF assistant coach Kyle Halfpop, beating the Golden Eagles 4-0.
Freshman Grace Held is the sole Cougar with multiple goals, scoring two on seven shots.
Senior Brayden Paul has handled duties in the net last weekend against Mary, allowing one goal and recording 14 saves.
