SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - After a 2-1 start to the season, the Cougars turn their attention to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play this weekend with a pair of road tests. The Cougars travel to Duluth for a Friday, Sept. 19 kickoff at 6:00 p.m. at James S. Malosky Stadium, then head west to Bemidji for a Sunday, Sept. 21 kickoff at 1:00 p.m. at Chet Anderson Stadium. Sioux Falls comes into the weekend after wins over Mount Marty and Nebraska Kearney to start the year.

Cougar Notes

USF has scored three goals through three matches while allowing two, and the team has controlled the shot margin early, outshooting opponents 24-17 with 13 shots on goal. Emma Duerr, Mariah Siem and Addison Van Zee have each found the back of the net, while Martina Krattley, Ruby Reisdorfer and Lily Dahler have chipped in assists.

Goalkeeper Morgan Jost has anchored the defense, starting all three matches and recording six saves with a 0.67 goals-against average. The Cougars have created steady opportunities in the attack with nine corner kicks and a 54 percent shot-on-goal rate.

"The serious business starts this weekend with a tough test up North against UMD and Bemidji," said head coach Joe DeMay. "Last week was a good dress rehearsal on the road in Nebraska to help us get comfortable with our routines on the road, but everyone knows conference play is a different beast so we will have to be ready to raise our level."

Scouting Minnesota-Duluth (1-1-1)

Minnesota-Duluth enters the weekend 1-1-1 after opening with a win at Michigan Tech, a scoreless draw at Northern Michigan, and a home loss to Bemidji State (3-1). The Bulldogs average 0.67 goals per match and 10 shots per game, with seventeen shots on frame.

Senior goalkeeper Kaycee Chavez has been listed as an NSIC Defensive Player to Watch, bringing experience and consistency between the posts after starting 15 games a year ago. Junior forward Jessica Eischens is the team's Offensive Player to Watch, logging the third-most minutes last fall while contributing a game-winning goal and an assist.

Scouting Bemidji State (2-1)

Bemidji State is off to a 2-1 start after a comeback 3-1 victory at Minnesota-Duluth last weekend. The Beavers are averaging 1.33 goals per game and boast one of the league's most dangerous attackers in senior forward Katrina Barthelt. She earned NSIC Offensive Player of the Week honors after a five-point performance against UMD, scoring two goals and assisting on another. Barthelt leads the conference in points (7) and ranks among the national leaders with two game-winning goals.

Redshirt senior defender Emma Huelsnitz is the Beavers' Defensive Player to Watch and captains the back line after logging more than 4,000 career minutes. In goal, Rozlyn Buettner and Payton Kropp have shared duties, combining for a 0.850 save percentage across three matches.

"Duluth and Bemidji offer different tests in some ways, but both are organized and experienced," DeMay said. "Nothing in the NSIC is ever easy, but that's what makes it such a great conference. You know you have to show up with your A game to compete and both teams will require our best effort yet to come home with points."

How to Watch/Follow

- Live Video
- Live Stats (vs Duluth)
- Live Stats (vs Bemidji)

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