UMN Crookston Submitted
BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston soccer team was picked to finish 16th in the NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll released Thursday, August 11 by the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Golden Eagles were slotted behind Minnesota State University Moorhead in 15th.
Minnesota Crookston looks to build on a 1-17 mark in 2021. The Golden Eagles are in their fourth season under Head Coach Kyle Halfpop in 2022. They will welcome Neil Mancktelow to the staff as assistant coach in 2022. The Golden Eagles return 12 players who saw time in 2021. Minnesota Crookston is led by Abby Fettinger (So., F, White Bear Lake, Minn.), who had two goals and two assists in 2021. In addition, Jada VanOverbeke, the first All-NSIC player for the Golden Eagles since 2016, returns after a strong debut season in the back row. Minnesota Crookston returns five players who started all 18 games in 2021, and 11 players who started at least half of the games last season. Minnesota Crookston will also add talented recruits to the fray, with seven newcomers in 2022. Jenna Custer (R-Fr., F, Queen Creek, Ariz.) and Ellerie Tarbox (So., F, Carter Lake, Iowa) were with the team during the spring season. Custer transferred from NCAA. Division I Grand Canyon University, while Tarbox joined the team from NCAA Division II foe Missouri Western State University. The Golden Eagles open the regular season on August 28 at home versus Waldorf University.
“I am very excited about our 2022 team as our roster continues to grow and we will still be a very young team,” said Head Coach Kyle Halfpop. “This group is extremely competitive, and they are driven to prove themselves this year. The core of this team returns from last year and showed an incredible amount of growth in the Spring. The expectations are high within the team, and they are ready to take this program to new heights.
Fettinger was named the Offensive Player to Watch for the Golden Eagles. She was the team’s co-leader in scoring with six points in 2021. Fettinger made the transition from back row to forward during the season. She led the team with 17 shots on goal, and started all 18 games for the Golden Eagles.
“We transitioned Abby into an attacking player, and she slowly grew into it and by the end of the year became very dangerous,” Halfpop stated. “She is a very determined player and is willing to take risks which creates opportunities for herself and her teammates. As she gains more experience up front, I expect Abby to have a tremendous impact for us on the field.”
VanOverbeke was selected as the Defensive Player to Watch for Minnesota Crookston. She was the first Golden Eagle to earn All-NSIC honors since 2016. She started all 18 games in the back row for UMN Crookston. VanOverbeke played the second-most minutes on the team in 2021 and helped the Golden Eagles to one shutout.
“Jada is a very intelligent and competitive player,” Halfpop said. “She reads the game really well and her positioning is excellent. Jada has a very calm demeanor in the back and rarely gets ahead of herself. Coming into her second year, I expect Jada to go from strength to strength and continue to lead our team from the back.”
Minnesota State University was picked to finish first in the league with eight first-place votes and 217 points. Bemidji State University was selected second with five first-place votes, and 210 points. Augustana University was picked third with 199 points, and three first-place votes. Jenny Vetter of Minnesota State was selected as the NSIC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while Megan Dahl of Bemidji State was selected as the NSIC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
NSIC Preseason Women’s Soccer Poll
1. Minnesota State
2. Bemidji State
3. Augustana
4. Concordia-St. Paul
5. University of Mary
6. Minot State
7. St. Cloud State
8. Northern State
9. Winona State
10. Wayne State
11. Minnesota Duluth
12. Sioux Falls
13. Southwest Minnesota State
14. Upper Iowa
15. MSU Moorhead
16. Minnesota Crookston
