For Immediate Release
Monday, September 22, 2014
NSIC Media Relations
Full PDF Release

NSIC Offensive Player  of the Week
#11 Kara Espinosa
F, 5-3. Sr.,  
Minnetonka, Minn.
Minnetonka HS
St. Cloud State

Espinosa led the Huskies to a weekend sweep in NSIC action with a 2-1 win at Northern State and a 1-0 win at MSU Moorhead .  She scored the game winning goal in both games for the Huskies, which improved their 2014 record to 3-3, 2-1 NSIC.  Espinosa  broke a 1-1 tie at NSU with the game winner at 80:22  on an assist by Taige Thoreson and provided the lone goal in the Huskies’ win at MSU Moorhead with a marker at 62:18 on an assist from Faith Bila.  The goals marked the first points for Espinosa this season.

NSIC Goalkeeper of the Week
#1 Ashley Limmer
GK, 5-11, Sr.,
Brandon, S.D.
Brandon Valley HS
Augustana

Limmer posted two shutouts as the Vikings went 2-0 over the weekend. Limmer played all 90 minutes and made five saves in the 2-0 victory against Upper Iowa on Saturday. She then turned in her best performance of the season by a making a career-high nine saves 1-0 upset of No. 10 Winona State on Sunday.  The Viking’s win on Sunday snapped an 11-game losing streak to Winona State.

NSIC Defensive Player of the Week
#12 Megan Helberg
D, 5-6, Sr.,
Lakeville, Minn.
Centennial HS
Minnesota Duluth

Helberg led a Bulldog defense that allowed just two shots on goal in a pair of shutout wins over MSU Moorhead and Northern State.  Helberg played holding midfield position on Saturday before switching to left defensive back in Sunday’s match, while playing the second-most minutes on the team for the weekend.  To cap off her weekend she scored her first goal of the season, a header off a free kick, in Saturday’s 4-0 win over MSU Moorhead.

#10 Sarah Stram (F, 5-4, So., Elk Grove Village, Ill (Elk Grove HS))
- Posted a both of the Beavers goals in a 1-1-0 week of play
- Posted her team-leading third and fourth goals of the season in a 2-1 win at U-Mary
- Started both games of the week for BSU
- Has accounted for two of the Beavers’ three game-winning goals this season.
- Posted a team-high nine shots on goal
- Converted her first penalty kick opportunity of 2014

#1 Sonja Barr (GK, 5-6, Sr., Duluth, Minn. (Duluth East HS))
- Finished the weekend 1-1-0 with a .800 save percentage and 0.95 goals against average
- Posted four saves in a 98-minute overtime victory at U-Mary

Bemidji state, continues its road swing next weekend. The Beavers will travel to Mankato, Minn. for a 3 p.m. match at Minnesota State University, Mankato Friday, before a trip to St. Paul, Minn. for a 1 p.m. Sunday match up at Concordia University-St. Paul to wrap up BSU’s eight-game road stretch to open the season.

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Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears
www.cugoldenbears.com/
Steve Bellis • Lancaster University ‘98 • 4th
2013 Record: 5-13-0, 4-11-0 NSIC (12th)

#21 Taryn MacMillan (MF, 5-5, Jr., Eagan, Minn. / Eastview HS / North Dakota)
-scored her first two career goals, including the game winner, in a 3-1 win over USF on Sunday
-scored both goals in the opening five minutes as she broke a six-game goalless drought for the Golden Bears
-led the team with five shots as they went 1-1 overall against SMSU and USF
-nearly tied the game against SMSU in the closing minutes as she headed a ball off the post
-helped limit opponents to just two goals in the two matches as one of the better two-way players for CU

-CU split the weekend road series with SMSU and USF
-allowed only one goal in each match (1-0 loss to SMSU and 3-1 win against USF)
-keeper Emma Gartner made a combined 11 saves
-will face Minnesota Crookston on Friday and Bemidji State on Sunday for homecoming weekend

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University of Mary Marauders
www.goumary.com
Sarah McNulty  • University of Mary ‘05 • 3rd
2013 Record: 4-10-4, 4-7-4 NSIC (11th)

Shelby Buttron (GK, 5-9, Sr., Olathe, Kansas / South / South Dakota State)
- Backstopped the Marauders to three overtime games during the week, resulting in two ties and one loss, including a scoreless draw against Minot State.
- Stopped 80 percent of the shots she faced
- Posted a .85 goals against average over 318:38 minutes
- One of three goals she allowed was a penalty kick
Emily Christensen (D/M, 5-6, Jr., Minot, N.D. / Minot)
- Keyed a Marauders defense that allowed just three goals in three games during the week, all overtime contests.
- Opponents only managed to take five shots on goal/game.
- The Marauders allowed just 11 corner kicks while taking 17.

Marauder Memos
- U-Mary has played overtime in four of six games this season.
- All three games this past week went to overtime. Two finished in draws while the third was lost on a penalty kick
- The Marauders close out an eight game home stand this weekend when Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State come to town.

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Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles
www.goldeneaglesports.com
Joe Alianiello  • St. Francis (Pa.) • 3rd
2013 Record: 3-11-4, 1-10-4 NSIC (t-14th)

Erin Mears (Sr., MF, Sioux Falls, S.D.)
- Had one goal and one assist on the weekend
- Scored the game-winning goal against Minot State in 1-0 victory
- Had the assist on Beth Lastovich’s goal against U- Mary
- Was 1-for-1 on shot attempts on the weekend
- This was second-consecutive UMC has picked up two road results in a weekend, marking just the second time in school history.
- As holding midfielder, helped protect the defense, allowing just 10 shots on goal over the two games.

Lexie Gauger (So., GK, Green Bay, Wis.)
- Was clutch for UMC on the weekend, allowing just one goal with 10 saves on 11 shots on goal on the weekend for a .909 save %
- Was 1-0-1 as UMC picked up road results with a 1-0 win over Minot State and 1-1 draw against U-Mary. T
- Played 200 minutes in net over the two games.
- Picked up the shutout against Minot State

Rachelle Alcini (Sr., D, Ann Arbor, Mich.)
-Helped limit Minot State to only eight shots for the game in UMC’s 1-0 shutout victory
-Won numerous crosses and blocked several shots and cut out numerous through balls in both games
- Helped limit the Marauders to one goal and eight shots on goal
-  This was second-consecutive season UMC has picked up two road results in a weekend, marking just the second time in school history.

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Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs
www.umdbulldogs.com
Greg Cane • St. Scholastica ‘83 • 21st
2013 Record: 17-5-1, 13-3-0 NSIC (t-3rd)

#19 Maureen Stormont (F, 5-9, Sr., Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater HS)
- Scored two goals, including the game-winner in UMD’s 1-0 win over MSU-Moorhead, while adding a pair of assists to move into a tie for second-place all-time in scoring in Bulldog program history at 105 for her career, while claiming second place outright in scores

#12 Megan Helberg (D 5-6, Sr., Lakeville, Minn./Centennial H.S.)
- Led a Bulldog defense that allowed just two shots on goal in a pair of shutout wins over MSU-Moorhead and Northern State
- Played holding midfield position on Saturday before switching to left defensive back in Sunday’s match, while playing the second-most minutes on the team for the weekend
- Scored her first goal of the season, a header off a free kick, in Saturday’s 4-0 win over MSU-Moorhead

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Minnesota State Mavericks
www.msumavericks.com
Brian Bahl • Northern Iowa ‘05  • 2nd
2013 Record: 17-3-2, 13-1-1 NSIC (1st)

#21 Kiana Nickel, Midfield, Sophomore, Wayzata, Minn./Wayzata
- Totaled six points on the weekend in 108 minutes of play
- Had the an assist on the game winning goal against Southwest Minnesota State and later scored a goal to preserve the Mavericks 2-0 victory
- Scored a goal and assisted on another in MSU’s 8-1 win over USF
- Led the Mavericks with six shots and four shots on goal on the weekend
#2 Sidney Trotter, Defense, Sophomore, Omaha, Neb./East
- Helped pace a Mavericks defense that allowed just one goal on the weekend
- Played in all 90 minutes in a shutout victory against SMSU
- Produced one shot on goal in during 8-1 win against Sioux Falls
- A major part of a Maverick defense that allowed just 12 shots and six shots on goal over the weekend
#2 Lauren Hoeppner, Goalkeeper, Junior, Lakeville, Minn./Apple Valley
- Made her first start of the season in a shutout win against SMSU
- Appeared in the second half against Sioux Falls and did not allow a goal
- Had six saves on the weekend, five of those against SMSU

No. 2 Minnesota State record remains unblemished after defeating the University of Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State this past weekend. The Mavericks allowed their first goal of the season against USF, but the offense broke out scoring eight goals against the Cougars in the 8-1 victory. Junior Korey Kronforst scored the game winning goal against Southwest Minnesota State and sophomore Kiana Nickel added a goal of her own to push the Mavericks past the Mustangs by a score of 2-0. The Mavericks are set to host Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston this weekend at The Pitch.

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MSU Moorhead Dragons
www.msumdragons.com
Rollie Bulock • North Dakota ‘71 • 16th  
2013 Record: 0-17-0, 0-15-0 NSIC (16th)

Mackenzie Carlson (Fr., 5-4, F, Fargo, N.D./Davies HS)
--led MSUM with five shots in two games
--shared team lead with two shots on goal for the week.
--is tied for team lead with nine shots on season.

Gabrielle Bjorge (DF, 5-6, So., Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake HS)
--keyed defensive effort that held St. Cloud State to just one goal.
--has played all 450 minutes this season, only Dragon to do so.

Ashley Leintz (GK, 5-10, Jr., Bismarck, N.D./Century HS)
--Paced MSUM with 16 saves in two matches.
--had a .762 save percentage for the week.
--had eight saves in each weekend game (against UMD on Saturday and St. Cloud State on Sunday).
--leads NSIC at 6.8 saves per game.

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Minot State Beavers
www.msubeavers.com
Jason Spain • Central Connecticut State • 5th
2013 Record: 7-8-3, 7-6-2 NSIC (8th)

- Minot State tasted every type of result this week as they tied U-Mary 0-0 (9/15), lost to Minnesota-Crookston 1-0 on a goal in the 88th minute (9/20) and finished off the week with a 1-0 win against Bemidji State (9/21). The week began on the road in Bismarck and commenced with a 1-1 split on the weekend home-stand at Herb Parker Stadium.
- #1 Gemma Biasetto (F/GK, 6-0, Jr., Albuquerque, N.M./Elderado) did it all for the Beavers this week playing goalkeeper and forward. The junior began the week as the starting goalkeeper and recorded her second clean sheet of the year in the team’s 0-0 draw against U-Mary. In the team’s match against Bemidji State this past Sunday, Biasetto recorded 58 minutes as a forward for Minot State and helped the team earn their first victory in the NSIC.
- #15 Chloe Melton (F, 5-7, So., Fleet, England/Courtmoor) notched her first goal of the season in the team’s  1-0 win over Bemidji State, which proved to be the game winning goal. The sophomore forward showed promise in her freshman season scoring 4 goals and adding 3 assists, so the Beavers will look to get more out of her going forward as they continue to search for more goals.
- #0 Celene Johnson (GK, 5-6, Jr., Rocklin, Calif./Cimarron-Memorial/Sierra College) recorded her first NCAA Division II shutout in her first career start for the Beavers in the team’s 1-0 victory over Bemidji State. With Biasetto’s move to the field, Johnson will look for continued success in the goal for the Beavers as the season progresses. Johnson most recently play for Sierra College, a junior college in Rocklin, Calif.
- Minot State will have a full week of training before their next game when they play host to nationally ranked Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday, Sept. 27. The Beavers will play another NSIC game the very next day with another home contest against the Cougars of Sioux Falls.

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Northern State Wolves
www.northernstatewolves.com
Steve Kehm • 17th Season

2013 Record: 8-8-2, 5-8-2 NSIC (10th)
- NSU lost 2-1 to SCSU and 1-0 to UMD last week
- Anna Bondy scored 4th goal of the season vs. SCSU
- Brittany Tietz with a season high 11 saves vs. UMD

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Sioux Falls Cougars
www.usfcougars.com
Mekonnen Afa  • National American ‘00 • 10th
2013 Record: 2-15-1, 2-12-1 NSIC (t-14th)

The University of Sioux Falls Cougars are reeling after a tough weekend at home. Facing the No. 2 Minnesota State Mavericks on Friday, USF was overcome by one of the top offenses in the conference, surrendering eight goals in  an 8-1 defeat. Lola Weiss got the Cougars on the board when she found the top right corner of the net with her left minute in the final minute of the first half.
The opportunity to rebound quickly was halted when Concordia-St. Paul scored twice in the first five minutes en route to a 3-1 victory. Ciara Howerton converted a penalty kick to narrow the margin to two goals, but the Golden Bear back line would not surrender any more goals.
USF now takes to the road to face University of Mary and Minot State on Sept. 27 and 28, respectively.

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SMSU Mustangs
www.smsumustangs.com
TJ Buchholz  • Northwestern  ‘99 • 4th Season
2013 Record: 16-4-2, 11-2-2 NSIC (5th)

#9 Autumn Hayes (M, 5-11, Sr. La Crescent, Minn./La Crescent)
-Scored the only goal versus Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday on a penalty kick to win over Golden Bears
-Was her second penalty kick of the season
-Hayes is 2-for-2 in PK’s
-Increases PK school record with eight.

#14 Lauren Houdek (D, 5-11, Sr. Anaheim, Calif./Cypress)
-Had a pair of shots in weekend match ups
-One shot on goal
-Helped keep Concordia-St. Paul scoreless on Saturday afternoon’s competition

#31 Brienna Dehkes (GK, 5-9, So. Elk River, Minn./Elk River)
-Recorded a 1-1 record over the weekend
-Tallied seven saves in the pair of matches

Notes:
SMSU soccer will begin a four game road trip starting at Minot State on Saturday at 11 a.m. before traveling to Bismarck N.D., to take on U-Mary on Sunday at 1 p.m.

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St. Cloud State Huskies
www.scsuhuskies.com
Gretta Arvesen • Creighton  ‘07 • 1st
2013 Record: 10-7-1, 7-7-1  NSIC (9th)

#11 Kara Espinosa (F, Sr.,  Minnetonka, Minn./Minnetonka HS)
- led the Huskies to a weekend sweep in NSIC action with a 2-1 win at Northern State on Sept. 20 and a 1-0 win at MSU Moorhead on Sept. 21.
- scored the game winning goal in both games for the Huskies, which improved their 2014 record to 3-3, 2-1 NSIC.
- broke a 1-1 tie at NSU with the game winner at 80:22 of the game on an assist by Taige Thoreson.
- provided the lone goal in the Huskies’ win at MSU Moorhead with a marker at 62:18 on an assist from Faith Bila.
- had a combined total of three shots on goal in the two games.
- These were Espinosa’s first goals and points of the 2014 season

- The Huskies gained their first two wins of the NSIC campaign with a 2-1 win at Northern State on Sept. 20 and a 1-0 win at MSU  Moorhead on Sept. 21.  
- First-year coach Gretta Arvesen posted the first NSIC win of her career on Sept. 20 at Northern State.
- Taige Thoreson scored a goal and an assist in SCSU’s 2-1 win at NSU.  
- Faith Bila added her first point of 2014 with an assist on Espinosa’s goal vs. MSU, Moorhead.
- The Huskies will travel to Winona State on Sept. 27 and Upper Iowa on Sept. 28.
- SCSU currently owns a 3-3, 2-1 NSIC record in 2014.

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Upper Iowa Peacocks
www.upperiowaathletics.com
Brian Diaz  • Tusculum ‘02 • 2nd
2013 Record: 15-5-0, 12-3-0 NSIC (t-3rd)

- UIU lost to Augustana, 2-0, on Saturday in Sioux Falls
- Upper Iowa outshot the Augustana 20-13, but only managed five shots on goal
- The Peacocks defeated Wayne State, 3-0, on Sunday for their first win of the season
- Junior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Emanuel made six saves in her first shutout of 2014
- Aimee Wronski, Brianne Fenton and Morgan Springborn scored
- Lauren Rohrmeier, Madie Edwards and Corinne Wronski had assists
- Upper Iowa will host Minnesota Duluth on Saturday and St. Cloud State on Sunday
- UIU is 1-5 against Duluth in the series history
- The Peacocks are 2-1-4 all-time against St. Cloud

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Wayne State Wildcats
www.wscwildcats.com
Tom Cliff • Spring Arbor (Mich,) ‘03 • 2nd
2013 Record: 2-14-2, 2-11-2 NSIC (13th)

#9 Josie Brown, 5-8 Jr. M Elk River, Minn. (Elk River HS)
 - had a team-high seven shots during weekend matches against #10 Winona State and Upper Iowa
 
#7 Kelsea Lambert, 5-6 Jr. F, Bellevue, Neb. (Bellevue West HS)
 - led WSC with three shots on goal and had five total shots vs. Winona State and Upper Iowa

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Winona State Warriors
www.winonastatewarriors.com
Ali Omar • Winona State ‘92 • 19th
2013 Record: 15-4-3, 13-2-0 NSIC (2nd)

#21 Meg Riebau (F, 5-9, So., Appleton, Wis.)
-    Scored game winning goal in 1-0 win over Wayne State
-    Took a match-high four shots
-    Took three shots against Augustana

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