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Author: Mark Privratsky  Gopher Soccer Photo: Brad Rempel The 64 team field is set for the 2024 D1 Womens Soccer Tournament, and we've got as many good Minnesota angles as ever, with 36 players across 12 different teams. For starters, the Gophers are back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in years, and even tough they dropped a tough 1-0 loss to Penn State in the opener of the Big Ten Tourney, they are set to host a game vs local Summit League power South Dakota State, who have a handful of impactful Minnesotans, per usual. We've got nation leading goal scorers like Khyah Harper (Minnesota), Izzy Engle (Notre Dame), and Kaitlyn MacBean (Penn State), along with other scary forwards like Perit Parten and Maya Hansen at Iowa. Local duo Maddie Dahlien and Clare Gagne are playing super sub and reliable keeper for the contending Tarheels, Megan Plaschko is taking one last ride with an impressive TCU squad, and the Westund sisters are coming off a run with Cal Baptist to take the WAC tournament automatic bid. We also have the tournament tested Wisconsin squad featuring Maddie Ishaug, Dara Andringa, Maddie Poor, Kenzie Jacobson and Kiya Gilliand, along with players across another handful of teams. As the Tournament kicks off Friday, November 15, we are here to provide your watch schedule and local players to track for all of the early matchups. If you want to look back on this years player performance, dig into our FULL PLAYER TRACKER to catch up on all your MN D1 player stats up until this point. Gophers host South Dakota State in NCAA opener Summit League Champions SDSU The South Dakota State Jackrabbits watched as their rivals NDSU springboarded them to the regular season Summit League title this year. No worries, this team has seen postseason pressure before, and this year was no easier. After needing OT to beat South Dakota 2-1 in the Summit opening round, they dispatched yet another rival in Denver, before locking up another NCAA trip with a 3-1 win over Oral Roberts in the final. Their reward? A matchup with local big dogs Minnesota who happen to be having one of their best seasons in nearly a decade. You know what? SDSU probably wouldn't have it any other way. The Gophers will look to hold off the upset minded Jackrabbits as they host an NCAA Tournament game for the first time since 2016. You can watch this highly anticipated game on ESPN+, Friday, Nov 15 at 6pm. Equal Time Founder Matt Privratsky will be calling the game as he has all year. Get to Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium early, it is sure to sell out! Full MNs in the NCAA Tournament ScheduleThe opening weekend will feature 36 Minnesotans on 12 teams over two days, but at least they are all streamed at the same place, ESPN+. We will list the players on each team who come from Minnesota, to see all of their detailed stats, check out our full player stat tracker below. The teams that advance out of their first round matchups will play next weekend on Friday, November 22.
 WAC Champions Cal Baptist MN D1 Player Tracker While we've got an amazing 35 players in the NCAA Tournament from Minnesota, theres over 120 that have played this year, and plenty of good players who didn't make the big dance. Check out our UPDATED PLAYER TRACKER, and stay tuned for some stat based recognition once postseason play is done.  Big 12 Regular Season Champs TCU featuring Megan Plaschko
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