Winona State University women’s soccer launched into their home-based double-header this weekend on Friday, Sept. 21 against University of Minnesota Crookston, and took on Bemidji State University on Sunday, Sept. 23.

The first game against Crookston ended in a double overtime tie, while the game against Bemidji ended in an 0-2 loss.

Before the games this weekend, new head coach Matt Kellogg gave his insight on how he felt the games were going to go this weekend.

“We are really looking forward to playing Crookston and Bemidji.  Both teams are very capable of coming to town and getting a win if we don’t show them the respect they deserve and play our very best soccer,” Kellogg said.“It’s always great to be playing at home and we intend on taking advantage of that.”

Despite everything, the Warriors have continued battling defense. Kellogg said he has made a few changes in the girls’ playing, and that it has been making a difference.

“I think the season has gone well so far. We are implementing a new style of play, different from what the team played last year and as always it takes some time to adjust to new ways of doing things,” Kellogg said. “I think the greatest strength we have on this team is the number of veterans we have. They know the level of the conference and they know how to battle in the games.”

The Friday night game was an intense battle between two equal teams spanning two periods and four overtimes.

The game started uneventful, with only three shots on goal from Winona and Crookston, with a yellow card on the Golden Eagles’, Maggee Hodgdon, and two fouls.

The intensity picked up in period two when the Warriors made the first goal of the game in the 67th minute and, managing 10 more shots on goal throughout the second period.

The goal was scored by junior Bridget Doran, as she beat the goaltender to the upper left corner of the goal.

Crookston fired back in the 88th minute with a goal made by Lindsey Daml, who beat senior Jourdan Valkner to the right side of the goal.

All tied up with less than three minutes to spare, the two teams fought endlessly for control of the ball but fell into overtime.

Despite shots made on goal by both teams, they were still tied up 1-1 after two regulation overtimes, resulting in a tie.

The Warriors turned around and were back on Altura Field Sunday to face off against Bemidji State University.

In the first period, Winona had three shots on goal, while the Beaver had eight.

The one goal came in the first period came from Bemidji’s Allyson Smith, in a shot to the lower left corner of the goal.

The second goal of the game was brought in by Rachael Norton of the Beavers in the 82nd minute when she beat Valkner off dribble.

The Warriors would ultimately fall 0-2 on Sunday afternoon despite an intense defensive game.

Kellogg stated how much effort the girls have been giving this season, despite the odds being against them and he hopes they will keep up their high spirits and make it to the NCAA tournament.

The Warriors return to the field next on Friday, Sept. 28 at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota at 3 p.m.

The team will travel again on Sunday, Sept. 30 this time to Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, Minnesota for 1 p.m. for a matchup with the Dragons.