D1 Minnesotans: Dahlien grabs Bronze at U-20 World Cup, first years Pohlidahl, Parten, Thurk and Engle earn big roles, Gophers and Badgers make first BIG LA trip, games to watch, stat leaders and more!

Author: Mark Privratsky

Photo: US Soccer

This week in D1 Minnesotans we highlight Maddie Dahlien creating goals and earning a Bronze Medal with the USA in the U-20 World Cup. An unprecedented number of Minnesotans are playing on highly ranked teams, with Izzy Engle shining at #3 Notre Dame, Payton Cahill keeping at #5 Wake Forest, Kaitlyn Macbean bagging goals for #6 Penn State, and Iowa's MN fowards Maya Hansen & Berit Parten now up to #13. Wisconsin is just outside the top 25 and this weekend they make their first Big Ten trip to LA to face USC and UCLA alongside their Gopher rivals. First years Grace Pohlidahl (Army), Berit Parten (Iowa), Ashley Thurk (MN) and Izzy Engle (Notre Dame) are playing heavy minutes and making an impact ahead of schedule. We've got games to watch in the next two weeks, an update on St Thomas as they enter Summit League play, and as always, our STAT TRACKER with our 122 Minnesotans (and counting!) 

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Maddie Dahlien creates goals and gets bronze at U-20 World Cup

After a month of hard work, big moments on the field, and most certainly a lot of remote homework, Maddie Dahlien and the U-20's are coming home with a hard earned bronze medal. After falling to a perennial contender Korea DPR in the semis, Dahlien the US beat the Netherlands in extra time to claim third. Dahlien was a super sub for this team, scoring twice in the group stage, and setting up a comeback goal when the US was down 2-0 to Germany in the Quarterfinals. We look forward to seeing how Maddie works back into a Tar Hells side that is flying right now at #2. 

Photo: US Soccer

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Pohlidahl, Parten , Thurk, and Engle claim their places as first years

Grace Pohlidahl (Photo: Army)

Ashley Thurk (Photo: U of M)

Of the ​28 MNs who are rostered as true freshman this fall, 21 have seen the field, and plenty seeing a solid chunk of minutes. But after 10 or so games, there are a few who are truly staking a claim as impact players from the jump. Grace Pohlidahl joined her sister Hannah at Army and immediately became a 90 minute player. Ashley Thurk has been a mainstay defensively for the Gophers, playing nearly 90 a game as they look poised to challenge for a BIG Tournament spot. The other two standouts are freshman goal scorers we've highlights this fall already because they are on FIRE for big teams. Izzy Engle currently sits on 10 goals in 9 games, with a G+A/90 of 1.71,  and is tied for 3rd in the nation in scoring (along with MN Kaitlyn Macbean of Penn St). Not to be outdone, Berit Parten at Iowa also continues to score effectively, with 6 goals in 519 minutes (& a few from a game that was abandoned) for a squad that looks to be challenging for the BIG Title. 

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Gophers and Badgers (& Equal Time!) head west for BIG Los Angeles trip 

Photo: Wisconsin Athletics

We are officially in the era of the Super Conference and that means a 18 team, coast to coast Big Ten. It also means coast to coast travel to new and potentially more threatening opponents. Last weekend Wisconsin snuck a 1-0 victory at home to the seemingly improved Gopher squad, in a great early test for both teams. This weekend the new Big Ten becomes real as both Minnesota and Wisconsin take their maiden voyage to Los Angeles to face UCLA and USC, two ranked foes with plenty of pedigree. For the Gophers, snagging any road points would a positive, while Wisconsin would likely set their sights higher given recent success. 10 our of 18 teams make the new Big Ten Tournament, with the four new additions all being competitive. Matt will be in Los Angeles to cover the inaugural trip as the Gophers face USC and UCLA this weekend. Stay tuned to Equal Time socials for on the ground content!

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St Thomas enters Summit League play: Villain Season?

Photo: Michael Lang

"Quick (fake) scenario for you: St Thomas is currently 4-4-1 as they head into Summit League conference play this weekend. In the fourth year of their NCAA transitional purgatory where postseason play remains out of reach, Head Coach Sheila McGill calls me up and says “Matt, we want you to come in, talk to the team, and give us a pep talk and some guidance for the rest of the fall.” I tell Sheila I’ll be right there. I jump on my ebike and bike to the Tom’s meeting room and write two words on the white board: Villain Season. Let’s jump into this very real idea based on a very fake situation." 

This is a taste of Matt's latest deep dive on St Thomas entering Summit League play, read the full piece HERE

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Games to Watch

Thursday, Sept 25
St Thomas vs South Dakota, 4pm, Midco 

Friday, Sept 26
#13 Iowa vs #6 Penn State, 7pm, BTN+
USC vs Minnesota, 8pm, BTN+

Friday, Oct 4
Minnesota vs Northwestern, 7pm, BTN+

Sunday, October 6
North Dakota vs North Dakota State, 1pm, Midco
St Thomas vs South Dakota State, 1pm, Midco

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Player Tracker

Find our updated tracker for D1 MN's HERE. We are currently at 122 players and counting, feel free to DM us if we have missed a Minnesotan playing D1!

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