WARRENSBURG, Mo. (September 5, 2018) -No. 1 Jennies Soccer remains in the top spot after week one. Earlier this week the United Soccer Coaches Poll was released, and UCM remains No. 1. This weekend the Jennies host a pair of games at Jennies Field.
Opponent: St. Cloud State
Where: Warrensburg, Mo.
When: Thursday, September 6, 2018 - 3 p.m.
The Week Ahead
• Aug. 30, as they host the No. 17 Bulldogs of Southwestern Oklahoma State. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. UCM will then come back home to take on the Vikings of Augustana University on Sunday, Sept. 3 at Jennies Field at the South Recreation Complex at 1 p.m.
• The Jennies enter the 2018 season ranked No. 1 in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll (formerly National Soccer Coaches Association of America). UCM is coming off its eighth straight MIAA Regular Season championship, fourth MIAA Tournament championship, fourth straight Central Region crown, and a 2017 NCAA D2 National Championship Title.
Series History
St. Cloud State: UCM leads 4-2-0
• The Jennies are back at home to take on St. Cloud State. St. Cloud is coming off of a loss and a tie after week one of play. Leaving their record 0-1-1, still unranked in the United Soccer Coaches Poll.
No.13 Minnesota State-Mankato: UCM leads 6-4-2
• UCM defeated Minnesota State Mankato back in 2015 1-0. But the two teams have a long history dating back to 1997. Mankato was ranked No. 2 in the United Soccer Preseason Poll, and after week one has moved up to No. 13.
Scouting the Competition
St. Cloud State
• The Huskies enter the 2018 season 0-1-1, after week one with a 2-1 loss against Northern Michigan and a 2-2 tie against Michigan Technological. Last season the huskies finished 8-8-2 overall, and went 6-7-2 in the NSIC Conference.
• The Huskies core is around their five seniors. St. Cloud is returning eight of their top ten point scorers from last season. Huskies will return their leading scorer, junior forward Hannah Marion. Marion led the team and scored five goals for ten points. St. Cloud is also returning senior forward Maria Kass that scored three goals for seven points last season.
• Head Coach Gretta Arvesen will be in her fifth season as the Huskies soccer coach. With an overall record of 30-33-10 in her previous four seasons as the head coach.
• The Huskies are 4-2-0 all-time against the Jennies.
No. 13 Minnesota State-Mankato
• Minnesota State-Mankato entered the 2018 season ranked No. 20 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll. After week one the Mavericks moved up to the No. 13 spot with a record of 1-0-0 after defeating Sioux Falls 4-0.
• Minnesota State-Mankato took the NSIC Conference Championship in the 2017 season, after finishing last season with a record of 17-2-3 overall and 13-1-1 in the conference. Mankato made a late run to the NCAA Tournament last season before being eliminated by Southwestern Oklahoma State in a 4-2 four round shootout.
• Entering the 2018 season, Mankato is preseason picked to finish first in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll receiving 12 first place votes, with Bemidji State (2) and Augustana (1) right behind them.
• So far in the 2018 season Mankato is led by junior forward/midfielder Dakota Wendell. Wendell has two goals for four points. Senior forward Julia Zach will also be a threat with one goal, four points and two assist. • The Mavericks are 6-4-2 all-time against Central Missouri..
Opening Weekend
• The Jennies 88 goals scored last this season ranks them in the top five in Division II in total goals at second.
• The Jennies are averaged 3.52 goals per game this season which ranked third in Division II in scoring offense.
• UCM's 45 assists last season was the most in the MIAA and was tied for tenth most in Division II.
• With 221 points total on 88 goals scored and 45 assists, the Jennies were third in Division II in total points.
• In 24 games last season, UCM outscored opponents 88-4 with a 538-204 shots advantage.
Bringing Home the Hardware
• The Jennies posted shutouts in 21 of their wins last season and their four goals allowed was the least allowed in Division II this season.
• The Jennies all-around defense in shutouts (21), shutout percentage (.875), goals-against average (.160), and save percentage (.956) leads all of Division II this season.
• The Jennies were only team in Division II that allowed just four goals this season. The Jennies four goals allowed was the least allowed in the MIAA. Their 21 shutouts and 25 wins was the most in a single season in UCM History
One for the Record Books
• The 2017 squad is the first team in program history and MIAA history to post 12 consecutive shutouts.
• UCM was just the fourth team in NCAA Division II history to post 12 consecutive shutouts
• Dating back to the 2015 season, UCM has scored a goal in 58 straight games which is both a UCM and MIAA record.
• The Jennies were 26-0-0 for the first time in program history. No other team in program history has ever accomplished that feat.
• UCM's 221 points and 88 goals are the most in a single season in program history.
