In two home games on Friday, Oct. 15 and Sunday, Oct. 17, Winona State University’s women’s soccer team ties for the first time this season against ¬¬Bemidji State University, 1-1, followed by their first win in five games against University of Minnesota – Crookston, 6-0, respectively.
Bemidji State, who is second in the NSIC standings behind Minot State University, holds a conference record of 7-0-2 and is ranked 11th by the United Soccer Coaches, lead in overall shots, 17-9, shots on goal, 9-4, and corner kicks, 6-1.
Winona State’s fourth-year goalkeeper, Yanel Ortiz, impressively stopped eight goals during the game, keeping back an aggressive opponent.
Playing a nearly undefeated team such as Bemidji State pressures the offensive and defensive strategies of the Warriors, but the top game leaders for Winona State performed well. Among the game leaders were Riley Harmon, fourth-year forward and midfielder, with the only goal on the board for Winona State, and one shot and one shot on goal, Missy Greco fifth-year midfielder and defender, with three shots and three shots on goal, Reanne Weil, second-year forward, with one shot and Jamie Kwon, fourth-year defender, with one shot.
Harmon’s goal is accredited as unassisted in the 26th minute of the game and was a strong start to the beginning of the match.
With ten minutes left of the first half, Bemidji State tied the scoreboard.
After the first 45 minutes of play, the rest of the game remained scoreless for either side, but a tireless effort from three Winona State players, Bailey Deininger, third-year defender, Katie Timmons, third-year midfielder and Ortiz was key in withstanding the offensive rush by their opponent. They each played the full 110 minutes.
After such an exhausting game, the Warriors deserve adequate rest. Ashley Hewitt, third-year forward, comments on team recovery.
“Our team focuses a lot on recovery and making sure to take care of our bodies,” Hewitt said. “Especially after hard practices or workouts, we are sure to stretch, ice, rest, and hydrate. Some of the girls will stretch at home on their own and even do yoga to stay loose.”
Before the next game against Crookston, quick turnaround keeps players on their best healthy practices.
“Eating healthy is also a big factor in staying healthy, so it is important for the team to be eating nutritious meals as well,” Hewitt said.
Crookston, who has an overall conference record of 1-10, had not scored a goal since Sept. 24 against Concordia University, St. Paul, five games ago. This unfortunate record is a blessing for the Warriors, as they destroyed Crookston within the first half alone, 4-0, and overall, 6-0. Crookston is the perfect type of team to renew confidence in Winona State’s offensive abilities.
Based on the two team’s matchup history, Winona State was favored to win, with a 7-0-2 record against Crookston alone, with their last win against Crookston from Sept. 27, 2019.
For the entire game, Crookston faced 27 shots and 20 shots on goal from Winona State. Winona State had a laidback defensive game, only needing to stop 5 shots on goal. For corner kicks, Winona State led, 10-0. The Warriors had an amazing offensive match for a Sunday afternoon.
Referring to their first game of the season, Harmon reflects on what her coach said about winning.
“’Remember this feeling,’ coach said, and that stuck with me,” Harmon said. “I know my teammates and I want to continue feeling that feeling.”
This moves their overall conference record to 3-6-1. The Warriors play again Friday, Oct. 22 at 3 p.m. at Minnesota State University – Moorhead and Sunday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. at Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D.