UMC Women’s Basketball Season Preview

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women’s basketball team opened up practice earlier in October in preparations for the 2014-15 season. The Golden Eagles are led by Mike Roysland, who is entering his eighth season as the head coach for UMC.

The Golden Eagles went 10-17 (7-15 NSIC) during the 2013-14 campaign and will look to improve on that mark during the 2014-15 season. UMC will be led by All-NSIC Second Team pick Katrina Moenkedick (Jr., F, 5-10, Perham, Minn./Early Childhood Education), who averaged 15.3 points and 7.5 rebounds as a sophomore. In addition to Moenkedick, Alexa Thielman (Jr., G, 5-8, Buffalo, Minn./Health Science) will look to follow up a breakout sophomore season. Thielman averaged 15.2 points and 4.4 rebounds last season and shot 46.0 percent from beyond the arc.

UMC also returns starters Ebony Livingston (Sr., G/F, 5-9, Minneapolis, Minn./Sports and Rec Management) and Ashley Martell (Sr., G, 5-8, Somerset, Wis./Health Science). Livingston averaged 7.1 points and 3.2 rebounds as a junior, while Martell averaged 4.3 points and shot 40.2 percent from beyond the arc. Erika McRoberts (Jr., F/C, 5-11, Byron, Minn./Health Science) also returns after starting 21 games last season after averaging 5.9 points and 4.4 rebounds. McRoberts is currently battling back from an injury.

In addition, the Golden Eagles return key bench players in Christine Thorn (Jr., G, 5-6, St. Michael, Minn./Elementary Education) and Megan Taylor (So., F/C, 6-2, Estelline, S.D./Animal Science). Thorn averaged 5.4 points and shot 33.3 percent from beyond the arc last season, while Taylor averaged 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per game. In addition, Kenzie Church (Sr., F, 5-10, Fairmount, N.D./Management) returns for UMC. Church has battled through injuries each of the last two seasons and will look to make an impact as a senior.

While the Golden Eagles return a good core, they are also looking forward to the impact that their newcomers can make this season. Two main positions where newcomers should make an impact are at point guard and center. The Golden Eagles bring in Maria Loughlin (Jr., G, 5-7, Rogers, Minn./Health Science) and Micaela Noga (Fr., G, 5-7, Parkers Prairie, Minn.) are currently battling for the point guard position. At center, Isieoma Odor (Fr., F/C, 6-0, Bloomington, Minn./Health Science) and Emily Gruber (Fr., F/C, 5-11, Monticello, Minn.) should battle with Taylor for playing time at center, allowing Moenkedick to move to her more natural position of power forward.

In addition, UMC has freshmen Dawn Leland (Fr., G/F, 6-1, Merrill, Wis./Natural Resources) and Gabby Smith (Fr., G/F, 5-10, Bloomington, Minn./Education), who will add depth on the wing.
The Golden Eagle coaching staff for the 2014-15 season is rounded out by long-time assistant coach Nate Mahlen, who is in his seventh season, and Kamille Wahlin, who is in her second season, as an assistant.

Minnesota Crookston will play one exhibition game Nov. 9 against University of North Dakota at 2 p.m. in Grand Forks, N.D. The Golden Eagles will then play in the MSU Moorhead Tournament Nov. 14 and 15. The Golden Eagles will take on Northern Michigan University at 8 p.m.  Nov. 14 and University of Wisconsin-Parkside Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.

The Golden Eagles will then head to Honolulu, Hawai’i for a pair of games. UMC will take on University of Hawai’i-Hilo Nov. 22 and Hawai’i Pacific University Nov. 23.

UMC will open up their conference slate Nov. 29 on the road against Bemidji State University. The Golden Eagles will then host University of Minnesota Duluth Dec. 5 and St. Cloud State University Dec. 6.

UMC will then hit the road to face Wayne State College Dec. 12 and Augustana College Dec. 13, before returning home to face BSU Dec. 19.

The Golden Eagles will open up the New Year of 2015 as they take on University of Mary Jan. 2 and Minot State University Jan. 3 at home.

UMC will hit the road to face St. Cloud State University Jan. 9 and University of Minnesota Duluth Jan. 10.

The Golden Eagles will take on Concordia University, St. Paul at home Jan. 16 and Minnesota State University, Mankato Jan. 17.

UMC will then hit the road for a four-game stand, playing MSU Moorhead Jan. 23 and Northern State University Jan. 24. The Golden Eagles will then take on Upper Iowa University Jan. 30 and Winona State University Jan. 31.

The Golden Eagles will return home to face University of Sioux Falls Feb. 6 and Southwest Minnesota State University Feb. 7..

UMC will take their final road trip of the year Feb. 13 and 14 as they take on Minot State University and University of Mary.

The Golden Eagles’ final home stand of the year will take place Feb. 20 and 21 as they host Northern State and MSU Moorhead.


For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.