NSIC in Minnesota - October

We are six games into the Northern Sun Conference season, which means we have 60% of the slate left to play. Minot State is a surprise up top, taking advantage of a slightly easier start to their schedule to start 6-0 (beating SW MN St, St Cloud, Duluth and Winona by the way). Bemidji has stayed undefeated with a big win at Concordia, Mankato hasn't lost since their away trip to Augustana, and we've seen almost every team claim a win so far this year. Let's dig into some of the top performers in Minnesota and catch up with scores around the Conference. Once again thank you to the NSIC for the stats and images we utilize. 

St Cloud State finding scoring rhythm

We can spend a lot of time talking about individual goal scorers on Equal Time, but we have just as much appreciation for solid team play. St Cloud is currently in 5th place with a 3-1-2 record in the NSIC, and their goal scoring couldn't have came at a better time. After a tough start with 2 goals in their first 4, St Cloud has scored 8 goals in a 3-0-1 unbeaten streak. Their only conference loss so far was against still undefeated Minot State, so we will see how they handle this weekend's test in Bemidji on Sunday. Look for Nicole Friis (3 goals, 1 assist), Claire Shea (3 goals), Karlie Valdez (2 goals 2 assists), and Jenna Dominguez (2 goal, 1 assist) to spread the points around for the Huskies. 

We had a St Cloud standout on the show this past week as Jocelin Martinez joined Rachael Norton and I to talk about coming from California to Northern State and eventually, St Cloud. We had a blast talking to Jocelin, check out the interview below if you haven't seen it!

.@markprivratsky & @rachaellouise58 are LIVE with Jocelin Martinez of @SCSUHUSKIES_SOC. Show presented by @pentzhomes! https://t.co/WQbiGZGoXw

— Equal Time Soccer (@EqualTimeSoccer) September 28, 2021

Megan Harkin back stops Mustangs for 4 points

Southwest Minnesota State has no doubt felt a bit unlucky with their 2-5-1 start overall, considering they haven't lost a single game by more than 1 goal. Last weekend it seems they caught some momentum. Meghan Harkin in goal had a big part to play in that as she stopped a PK in the 75th minute to keep a 2-1 win against UMD. In a double OT tie with in form St Cloud, Harkin saved all 5 shots that came her way in the 0-0 game. The Mustangs play this weekend at home against Wayne State and Augustana.
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Concordia paced by Katie Anderson

We'd forgive you for reading "Concordia"..."Anderson" and thinking Katie Anderson hails from Minnesota. Maybe she just came from San Diego because she knew she'd score goals here. In her Freshman year in 2019, Katie tallied 8 goals and 3 assists, mostly off the bench. This year, her goal rate is 6 goals in 9 games, leading the Golden Bears offense which is ranked 25th nationally in points per game at 2.67. Concordia has a great stretch coming up, with Winona, Upper Iowa, UMD and St Cloud at home for two weeks. Don't be surprised to see Anderson add to her total in this homestand.

MSU Moorhead and UMD look for first NSIC win

The only two Minnesota teams yet to win in the NSIC are Moorhead and Duluth, but both have decent chances of turning that around this weekend. The Dragons of Moorhead host University of Mary this Friday at 4pm, followed by Minot State at home. They will hope to start strong with a win against Mary, while UMD face a tough Bemidji Squad on Friday. The Bulldogs wrap up their weekend with a home game against their University system rivals from Crookston. The Golden Eagles will look to get their second conference win on sunday after beating Moorhead earlier in the year.

 Match to Watch - Bemidji St vs. St Cloud St

For this coming weekends matchups, one stands out for Minnesotans in the NSIC. This sunday we will see St Cloud travel to Bemidji after a friday afternoon game in Crookston. #11 Bemidji (moved up two spots today since their #13 ranking seen below) remains the only nationally ranked squad in the NSIC, and they've played some of the toughest teams already. St Cloud will be looking to test themselves in a big way and we cannot wait to see how it turns out! You can stream this match from the bsubeavers.com website at 1pm Sunday

​Match Recaps

Friday, September 24
Minot St - 2
Southwest MN St - 1

Bemidji St - 2
Mankato St - 2

UMD - 1
Upper Iowa - 2

MSU Moorhead - 0
Augustana - 4

St Cloud St - 2
Winona St - 1

Crookston - 1
Concordia St Paul - 5

Sunday, September 26
MSU Moorhead - 0
Wayne St - 3

UMD - 0
Winona St - 3

U Mary - 1
Southwest MN St - 0

Crookston - 0
Mankato St- 5

St Cloud St - 3
Upper Iowa - 0

Bemidji St - 2
Concordia St Paul - 1
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Friday, October 1
Wayne St - 2
Crookston - 0

Winona St - 0
Minot St - 1

Mankato St - 1
MSU Moorhead - 0

Southwest MN St - 0
St Cloud St - 0

Sioux Falls - 0
UMD - 0

Augustana - 0
Bemidji St - 2

Concordia St Paul - 2
Northern St - 3

Sunday, October 3
Sioux Falls - 0
St Cloud St - 3

Southwest MN St - 2
UMD - 1

Wayne St - 1
Bemidji St - 4

Concordia St Paul - 4
MSU Moorhead - 0

Augustana - 9
Crookston - 0

Mankato St - 2
Northern St - 0

Winona St - 0
U Mary - 1