SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Sioux Falls women's soccer (2-3-0, 0-2 NSIC) returns home this weekend to open its conference slate at Bob Young Field. The Cougars host Minnesota Crookston on Friday, September 26 at 7 p.m. in the program's Mental Health Awareness Match, before closing the weekend against MSU Moorhead on Sunday, September 28 at 1 p.m.

Cougar Notes

USF enters the weekend looking to bounce back after dropping both contests on the road in their NSIC-opening trip to Minnesota-Duluth (5-1) and Bemidji State (1-0). Through five matches, the Cougars have netted four goals on 37 shots while holding opponents to eight goals on 46 attempts. Sioux Falls has been sharp in the first half of matches, outscoring opponents 3-2, but is still searching for consistency across full 90-minute efforts.

Addison Van Zee leads the squad with two goals, including a game-winner. Emma Duerr and Mariah Siem have each added a goal, while Lily Dahler, Ruby Reisdorfer and Martina Krattley share the team lead with one assist apiece. In goal, Morgan Jost has played every minute this season, recording 12 saves with one shutout.

Scouting Minnesota Crookston (1-3-1, 0-2 NSIC)

The Golden Eagles opened 2025 with a 0-0 draw at Upper Iowa and grabbed a 1-0 road win at MSU Moorhead, but have since dropped three of their last four, including two straight losses in conference play.

Crookston has scored three goals in five matches, averaging just 5.2 shots per contest, one of the lowest marks in the league. Elise Lefers, Julia Finch, and Autumn Rabe have each scored once, and all three goals have come from different players, showing a balanced but limited attack. Despite being outshot 87-26 this season, UMC has shown efficiency with a .115 shot percentage and .538 shots-on-goal rate.

Defensively, the Golden Eagles rely heavily on goalkeeper Payton King, who has already faced 32 shots on goal in four appearances. She has kept them competitive with 28 saves and a .875 save percentage, including two shutouts. While Crookston's defense has struggled with sustained pressure, King's form in goal has kept games closer than the overall shot totals might suggest.

Scouting MSU Moorhead (1-3-1, 0-2 NSIC)

The Dragons enter the weekend on a three-match skid, falling to Crookston, Augustana, and Wayne State in consecutive contests. Their lone win came in a neutral-site shutout of Nebraska-Kearney, but conference play has proven more difficult, with opponents scoring ten goals in the last three outings.

Moorhead has been more active offensively than Crookston, averaging 13.4 shots per game, but finishing has been the challenge. The Dragons have converted only 3 of 67 attempts, ranking among the lowest shooting percentages in the NSIC at .045. Ana Cecilia Walker, Sophie Thompson, and Lauryn Katzenberger each account for the team's goals, while midfielder Mary Cox leads the squad in chances created with 10 shots and one assist.

On the defensive side, the Dragons have conceded 10 goals while opponents have averaged 20 shots per game against them. Goalkeepers Rylee Truslow and Quinn Carter have split time, combining for 36 saves and a .783 save percentage, but the volume of chances allowed has made clean sheets difficult to come by.

Coach's Corner

Coach DeMay on the team's preparation for this weekend's matchups:

"It's going to be fantastic to be back home at the Bob for the next two weekends. The matches are going to be difficult like they always are in the NSIC, but after a couple of weekends on the road having home field advantage is going to feel good. 

Taking advantage of every small edge we can find will be huge this weekend. We are facing off against two opponents looking to rebound from a challenging first weekend of conference play. We will have three of the newest coaches in the league all looking to lead their team up the table in the conference, so I expect the margins to be small and the intensity sky high. 

From our standpoint, we need to maintain our focus on increasing our standards every week, being accountable to each other, and continuing to grow and evolve together as a team."

How to Watch/Follow

- Live Video
- Live Stats (vs Crookston AND Moorhead)
- Tickets online and can be purchased at the stadium

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