MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University women's soccer team welcomes non-conference opponents Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State to the upper peninsula for the 2023 season-opening weekend.

The Wildcats are set to square off with the Bulldogs on Thursday, August 31, at 3 p.m., and kick-off with the Huskies is scheduled for Saturday, September 2, at 12 p.m.

Head coach Jon Sandoval had this to say when asked about the first week back and getting going this weekend:

"They're really excited, not only for the games, but to get back in the routine and back in the classroom… [The] first weekend, no matter who you play, everyone still has belief and hope, so we fully anticipate two tough matches."

Follow Along
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Thursday, August 31 - vs. Minnesota Duluth at 3:00 PM
Live Stats | Watch on FloFC

Saturday, September 2 - vs. St. Cloud State at 12:00 PM
Live Stats | Watch on FloFC

Cat Nips

• The Wildcats return key contributors for the 2023 campaign, including GLIAC, D2CCA, and USC First Team selection Brooke Pietila, GLIAC First Team and D2CCA, USC Second Team selection Isabelle Brusilow, along with GLIAC Freshman of the Year, GLIAC and USC Second Team selection Molly Pistorius.
• The Wildcats were selected to finish third in the GLIAC, along with receiving one first-place vote.
• The Wildcats finished the 2022 season with a 13-4-5 record, including an unbeaten 7-0-3 record at home, before falling in the GLIAC Championship match and making it to the NCAA tournament.

A Look at Minnesota Duluth
The Bulldogs finished with an 8-7-3 overall record and a 7-5-3 conference record in the 2022 season. Minnesota Duluth returns leading scorers Jackie Jares, Anna Tobias, and Myra Moorjani. Moorjani was the recipient of NSIC All-Conference Second Team recognition for her efforts in the 2022 season. The Wildcats have beaten the Bulldogs in the team's two most recent matchups, with decisions by scores of 3-0 and 5-1 in 2022 and 2021. 

A Look at St. Cloud State
The Huskies finished with a 7-7-4 overall record and a 6-5-4 conference record in the 2022 season. The Huskies return top goal-scorer Jenna Dominguez for her fifth season along with defender Ellie Primerano, who received NSIC Second Team All-Conference honors. The Wildcats are on a four-game winning streak against the Huskies, dating back to 2018, with the most recent win being a 2-0 decision in St. Cloud, Minnesota. 

Jon Sandoval Weekly Press Conference