Minnesotans Playing D1 - What to Watch in Week 1

​Mark Privratsky

Are your ready for games that matter? Preseason is wrapped up for the most part, and we will see most Division 1 programs kick off their season on Thursday or Friday. Because we don't have a lot of box scores and stat sheets to sift through from the exhibition season (coach's secrets), I thought it may be helpful to highlight some games that you can easily stream this week(end)!  Some of the Minnesotans on Power 5 Conference rosters can be tough to watch due to all of the streaming packages you may have to pay for, but we've got games close to home that you can stream for free. 

In a world with more and more options for streaming and more and more monthly payments, may I present to you, The Summit League! A few of our neighbors in the Summit League like North Dakota State, Denver, and South Dakota State have all of their games streamed free online. That is great news for you and I (and all the parents who want to watch games after paying for their child's entire youth soccer career)! 

If you know of other opportunities to stream free matches for these players, let me know! The hardest challenge of covering Women's College Soccer is a simple lack of information, so if we can learn about a new player or team, we will highlight them. After I posted our first Minnesotans Playing D1 piece , i got close to 20 new submissions of players to follow, which is exciting! As always, feel free to interact with me on social media (@markprivratsky) to get my attention on a story in the beautiful game! 

Games to Watch this Weekend

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Denver
You can stream Denver's games with a simple click from their schedule at DenverPioneers.com. Denver features Minnesotans Shweta Raje, Megan Prazich and Sam Dietrick and they will be playing the "Colorado  Cup' this weekend with the other D1 schools from Colorado.

Thursday, August 19, 8pm CT
​Denver vs. Air Force
Colorado Cup

Sunday, August 22, 3:30pm CT
Denver vs. Colorado State
Colorado Cup

North Dakota State
Like Denver, you can stream NDSU games just by clicking on their schedule at GoBison.com. NDSU features probably the most Minnesotans on any roster in the country. Aly Cole, Paige Goaley, Kaitlyn Hanson, Bella Grandbois, Kelsey Kallio, Lauryn Roszak, Oliva Watson, Olivia Lovick, Josie Fieldman, Mckenna Strand, Dani Stuber, Lavin Douglass, Jess Hanley, and Ellie Schneider all roster with the Bison this year. You can catch interviews with Aly Cole, Ellie Schnieder and Olivia Lovick in our last MN's Playing D1 piece. Look for those 3 and many more to play a role with the Bison this year. 

Friday, August 20, 6pm
NDSU vs. Idaho
Fargo, ND

Sunday, August 22, 1pm
NDSU vs. Baylor
Fargo, ND

South Dakota State
If North Dakota State has the MOST Minnesotans, SDSU might lay claim to the second most impact players from the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Kaitlin Zabel, Taylor Lock, Rachel Preston, Kennedy Sanders, Jocelyn Tanner, Maya Hansen, and Kayla Anderson all suit up for the Jacks in 21. As our own Annie Williams can attest, SDSU is always a team to watch in the Summit League and Minnesotans play a major part. Go to GoJacks.com for easy streaming from the team schedule. 

Friday, August 20, 6pm
South Dakota State vs. Augustana
Brookings, SD

Sunday, August 22, Noon
South Dakota State vs. Texas-Rio Grande Valley
Brookings, SD