Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University women's soccer program faces their first weekend of NSIC competition as Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston travel to Aberdeen. The Wolves will face the Beavers at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 17, and then host the Golden Eagles at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 19.

GAME & FAN INFORMATION

• Tickets are available at the link above or at the entrance to the Athletic & Recreation Fields
• Live stats, live video, and the game programs are available at the links above

NORTHERN STATE STORYLINES

• Northern State enters Friday's match against Bemidji State with a 1-1 record on the season, after falling to North Dakota 3-0 last week Tuesday
• Alexus Townsend is currently second in the NSIC in saves per game (7.50), third in saves (15), third in save percentage (0.833) and fifth in goals against average (1.500)
  • Townsend was named the NSIC Goalkeeper of the Week on September 7 following her first career shutout win in her first career start against Montana State Billings
• Northern State is second in the NSIC in saves per game (7.50), and is tied for third for the fewest goals allowed this season (3)
• Over the last seven seasons the Wolves are 5-2 in NSIC openers
• Northern State statistical leaders
  • Goals: Megan Fastenau (1)
  • Assists: None
  • Points: Megan Fastenau (2)
  • Saves: Alexus Townsend (15)

BEMIDJI STATE STORYLINES

• Bemidji State enters Friday's match against Northern State with a 3-0 record on the season, with a victory in their last match on Sunday against Northern Michigan 3-2 in overtime
• The Beavers started the season off with a bang, defeating NCAA Division I North Dakota 2-0, with both goals coming in the final four minutes of regulation by Sara Wendt
• Wendt was named the NSIC Offensive Player of the Week on September 7, following her two-goal performance against North Dakota
  • In nine career games Wendt has scored three or more points
  • She leads the NSIC in goals (4), game-winning goals (2), and points (9); and ranks second in shots (13) and shots-on-goal (7)
• Allyson Smith was named the NSIC Offensive Player of the Week on September 13, following a two-goal performance against Michigan Tech and a two-assist game against Northern Michigan
  • Smith currently leads the NSIC in assists (3), ranks second in points (7), tied for third in goals (2), fourth in shots-on-goal (6), and fifth in shots (10)
• Bemidji State opens conference play having been picked fourth in the NSIC Preseason Soccer Coaches' Poll, after going 12-6-1 (11-3-1 NSIC) and finishing fourth place in 2019
• Jim Stone is in his 20^th season as the head coach at Bemidji State where he holds a career record of 188-118-31 (123-70-20 NSIC)
  • Stone is a 4 time NSIC Coach of the Year (2005, 2016, 2017, and 2018) and is the all-time winningest coach in program history
• Bemidji State statistical leaders
  • Goals: Sara Wendt (4)
  • Assists: Allyson Smith (3)
  • Points: Sara Wendt (9)
  • Saves: Alyssa Stumbaugh (12)

LOOKING BACK TO 2019

• Northern State and Bemidji State last played on November 3, 2019, where the Beavers picked up a 1-0 win in Bemidji for their fourth straight win in the series
• Northern leads the all-time series 13-12-3, and is 9-5 when the series is played in Aberdeen
• The series dates back to 1998 when NSU won the first meeting 4-1 in Aberdeen

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON STORYLINES

• Minnesota Crookston enters conference play with a record of 0-3 on the season, and lost their last matchup on Sunday to Michigan Tech 8-0
• Prior to making the road trip to Aberdeen, the Golden Eagles will play at MSU Moorhead at 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon
• Entering the 2021 season UMC was picked to finish 16^th in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll, following a 2019 season where they went 1-15 (1-14 NSIC) with a 16^th place finish
• Kyle Halfpop is in his third season as the head coach at Minnesota Crookston, he holds a career record of 1-33-1 and is 1-18 in his two seasons with the Golden Eagles
• Minnesota Crookston statistical leaders
  • Goals: Morgan Laplante (1)
  • Assists: Brooklyn Fischbach (1)
  • Points: Morgan Laplante (2)
  • Saves: Abby Olsen (13)

LOOKING BACK TO 2019

• Northern State and Minnesota Crookston last played on November 1, 2019, where the Wolves picked up a 6-1 victory at home for their fourth straight win in the series
• Northern leads the all-time series 18-4-2
• The series dates back the 1998 when NSU won the first meeting 7-0