SPEARFISH, S.D. – In a meeting between a pair of teams hungry for a win in the early stages of the 2024 season, the Black Hills State University women's soccer team will welcome Minnesota Crookston to the Black Hills Power Sports Complex on Sunday morning. In the first-ever meeting between the non-conference opponents, the Yellow Jackets and Golden Eagles will be set for an 11 a.m. kick-off in the match.
 
GAME DETAILS
Date & Time: Sunday, September 15 at 11 a.m.
Location: Spearfish, S.D. – Black Hills Power Sports Complex
 
BLACK HILLS STATE STORYLINES

• Black Hills State enters Sunday's home game with a record of 0-2-1 following a 5-0 loss to MSU Billings in the home opener on Wednesday.
• Announced on Wednesday, August 28, the Yellow Jackets were voted 12^th in the 2024 RMAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll.
• While still seeking their first goal of the season, Black Hills State has recorded 23 shots, ten shots on goal, five corner kicks, and 14 saves. On the other hand, their opponents have notched eight goals, four assists, 50 shots, 22 shots on goal, 20 corner kicks, and ten saves.
• Despite searching for their first points of the season, the BHSU offense returns their top-5 points leaders from a year ago, including Jayda Hammer, Hailey Warren, Kayla Osegueda, Audrey Sillanpaa, and Katy Vinton.
• Hammer led the Green & Gold in both goals (4) and points (8) last season while Warren, Osegueda, and Sillanpaa each found the back of the net on two occasions a year ago.
• Warren was the Yellow Jackets assist leader in 2023, tallying three to pair with her two goals for seven points on the year. Additionally, Osegueda and Vinton return having both assisted on a pair of goals last season as well.
• Headlined by Allie Brown who has played in 61 matches while making 52 starts during her career, the Black Hills State defense posted their first shutout of the season against Carroll, which marked the seventh she has been a part of in her career. Other notable defenders who have played this season include Ainsley Wilson and Makaiah Carlson who have recorded 240 and 161 minutes of playing time thus far in 2024.
• This season in goal, Makala Dannelly has started a pair of games while Zoe Wiggall has started one. Dannelly has made nine saves and allowed only three goals for a 1.50 goals against average. She has notched one shutout this year which brings her BHSU career total to six.
• John Hutchison is in his second season as the head coach of the Yellow Jackets.

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON STORYLINES

• Minnesota Crookston enters Sunday's game with a record of 0-2 following a pair of 1-0 losses to Lincoln (Mo.) and Nebraska-Kearney.
• The Golden Eagles enter the 2024 season picked to finish 15^th in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC)Preseason Coaches' Poll. In 2023 UMC held a 0-18 (0-14 NSIC) mark that was 15^th in the league standings.
• While still seeking their first goal of the season, the Golden Eagles have recorded ten shots, seven shots on goal, two corner kicks, and 16 saves. On the other hand, their opponents have notched two goals, 35 shots, 18 shots on goal, nine corner kicks, and seven saves.
• UMC returns both players who scored a goal for the Golden Eagles last season, as Brooklyn Fischbach and Tessa Van Overbeke found the back of the net two and one time respectively.
• Leading the UMC defense is Julia Finch, Madison Lein, VanOverbeke, and Kali Yates who have all played 180 minutes this year.
• Jordan Metz and Emma Stempien have each started and played in goal in one contest this year, with each having allowed one goal and a 1.00 goals against average. Metz has made ten saves while Stempien has made six saves.
• Neil Mancktelow is in his second season as the head coach at Minnesota Crookston.

SERIES HISTORY

• Sunday will mark the first-ever meeting on the pitch between Black Hills State and Minnesota Crookston.