UMC Women's Basketball Releases 2016-17 Schedule

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women’s basketball team released their 2016-17 schedule Tuesday afternoon. The Golden Eagles will play four challenging non-conference games before getting into a strong slate in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) with 22 games including 11 games at Lysaker Gymnasium.

“We are very excited for our 2016-17 schedule,” said Head Coach Mike Roysland. “The preseason will be a very challenging one with games against Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan and two games at the St. Mary’s Thanksgiving Classic in San Antonio. Those games will help us prepare for the tough schedule we fill face in the NSIC.”

Minnesota Crookston is coming off the best season in program history with an 18-10 mark. The Golden Eagles earned the No. 3 seed in the NSIC North for the second-consecutive season. Also for the second-consecutive season they won their first round NSIC Tournament games in front of record crowds at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles would then advance to the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament quarterfinals in Sioux Falls, where they would lose to eventual NSIC Champion University of Sioux Falls.

The Golden Eagles were led by seniors Katrina Nordick and Alexa Thielman, who were both 1,000 point scorers and All-NSIC First Team picks. Nordick was also an all-region pick last season. The Golden Eagles will look to build on their success of the past two seasons as they return three starters from last season.

Leading the way will be juniors Micaela Noga (G, Parkers Prairie, Minn.) and Emily Gruber (F/C, Monticello, Minn.), along with sophomore Alison Hughes (G, Janesville, Wis.). The three players averaged a combined 27.5 points between the three of them. Hughes and Gruber were both All-NSIC Freshman picks in their first seasons in the Maroon and Gold with Hughes earning the honor last season and Gruber the year before. Also returning are impact bench players Isieoma Odor (R-So., F/C, Bloomington, Minn.) and Caitlin Michaelis (So., G, Marshfield, Wis.), while Lindsey Weber (So., G/F, Delafield, Wis.) also returns.

Leanna Haugen, a 6-3 post from just up the road in Argyle, Minn., will join the core after a redshirt season where she gained experience on the practice court. She is joined by a talented group of freshman who will also look to leave their mark on the Golden Eagles including: Stephanie McWilliams (G, Grand Forks, N.D.), Amber Schoenicke (F/C, Marshall, Wis.), Kelsey Stinson (G/F, Cottage Grove, Wis.), Paige Weakley (G, Kearney, Mo.) and Kitri Zezza (G, Albertville, Minn.).

“We have holes to fill with the graduation of Katrina, Alexa and Megan, but I am excited about what we have returning and with the key pieces we were able to bring in with our recruiting class,” Roysland said.

The Golden Eagles will open up the 2016-17 season with a pair of exhibitions against NCAA Division I opponents. They will travel to Brookings, S.D. Oct. 27 to face South Dakota State University at 7 p.m. The Jackrabbits went 27-7 last season en route to an NCAA Tournament appearance, which included a win over University of Miami (Fla.).

UMC will continue their exhibition slate against the University of North Dakota Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. in Grand Forks, N.D. The Fighting Hawks went 19-14 on the 2015-16 season.

The Golden Eagles open up the regular-season Nov. 18 on the road against Michigan Tech University in Houghton, Mich at 4:30 p.m. The Huskies were 19-8 last season. Their trip to Michigan will continue Nov. 19 against Northern Michigan University at 12:30 p.m. in Marquette, Mich. The Wildcats were 13-16 during the 2015-16 season.

UMC will continue non-conference play at the St. Mary’s Thanksgiving Classic in San Antonio, Texas. The Golden Eagles will commence the tournament with a game against Angelo State University Nov. 25. The Rams went 24-8 last season, advancing to the second round of the NCAA South Central Regional. The next day, UMC will face-off with the St. Mary’s University Rattlers. They went 18-10 on the 2015-16 season.

After a challenging non-conference slate the Golden Eagles will open up NSIC play in what proves to be another great year of competition in the league. UMC will open up against St. Cloud State Dec. 2 at Halenbeck Hall at 6 p.m. in St. Cloud, Minn. The Huskies went 13-14 last season.

On Dec. 3, UMC will take on University of Minnesota Duluth at 4 p.m. in Duluth, Minn. The Bulldogs were 7-19 in their first season under Mandy Pearson.

The Golden Eagles will play their first game in the friendly confines of “The Hersch” Dec. 9 as they take on Red River Valley rival Minnesota State University Moorhead at 6 p.m. The Dragons went 21-6 last season and shared the NSIC North title.

UMC will continue their home stand against the other team who shared the NSIC North title, Northern State University, Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. The Wolves were 23-8 last season and went on to the NCAA Central Regional.

The Golden Eagles will wrap their home stand up on Dec. 15 as they take on their rivals from 88 miles down Highway 2, Bemidji State University. The Beavers were 7-20 in their first season under Chelsea DeVille.

UMC will round out their play in 2016 with games Dec. 30 and 31 on the road. The Golden Eagles will face Winona State at 6 p.m. in Winona, Minn. Dec. 30. The Warriors were 30-4 last season and went on to the second round of the NCAA Central Region Tournament. The Golden Eagles will conclude the year with a New Year’s Eve showdown against Upper Iowa University at 4 p.m. The Peacocks went 5-24 last season but are under new leadership this season with former Division I assistant coach Micha Thompson taking the lead.

UMC will open up 2017 Jan. 6 at Lysaker Gymnasium as they get a second go at Minnesota Duluth at 6 p.m. Jan. 7, UMC will remain home to take on St. Cloud State at 4 p.m.

The Golden Eagles will then take on Bemidji State for the second time, this time on the road at BSU Gymnasium Jan. 10 at 6 p.m.

They will then return home to battle Southwest Minnesota State University Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. and University of Sioux Falls Jan. 14 at 4 p.m. The Mustangs went 5-24 last season. They are under new leadership with Tom Webb taking over the program after turning around a program at Cameron University. He is joined on the bench by a familiar face to Golden Eagle fans in Brittani Wiese. Wiese wore the Maroon and Gold for Coach Roysland from 2009-13. She is serving as an assistant coach for the Mustangs.

Sioux Falls is coming off a great season with a 27-6 mark. The Cougars would win the NSIC Tournament and then lose in the first round of the NSIC Central Region Tournament. Sioux Falls ended UMC’s season last year at the NSIC Tournament at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

UMC will then hit the road Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. to take on University of Mary. The Marauders went 15-16 on the 2015-16 season. They will then take on Minot State University Jan. 21 at 4 p.m. in Minot, N.D. The Beavers were 11-18 last season.

The Golden Eagles will then return home to face Minnesota State University-Mankato at 6 p.m. Jan. 27. The Mavericks were 9-18 on the season, ending their season in the first round of the NSIC Tournament against the Golden Eagles. UMC also defeated the Mavericks on a last-second shot from Odor during the regular-season.

UMC will then take on Concordia University-St. Paul Jan. 28 at 4 p.m. The Golden Bears went 14-16 last season. Amanda Behnke will take over as full-time head coach this season after taking over on an interim basis mid-season.

UMC will hit the road to battle Augustana University at 6 p.m. in Sioux Falls, S.D. Feb. 3. The Vikings were 24-8 last season. They will then take on Wayne State College (Neb.) at 4 p.m. in Wayne, Neb. Feb. 4. The Wildcats were 17-12 during the 2016-17 season.

The Golden Eagles will stay on the road to face Northern State for the second time Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. They will then face MSU Moorhead Feb. 11 at 4 p.m.

UMC will conclude the regular-season Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. against Minot State University and Feb. 18 against U-Mary at 4 p.m. with both games played at Lysaker Gymnasium.

The NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament will begin Wed., Feb. 22 at the site of the top four seeds in both the North and South. The winners of those games will advance to the Sanford Pentagon for games Feb. 25 and possible games on the 26 and 28 for those who advance.