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Jessica Ko vs BYU
Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner

Women's Soccer

WSOC | Gaels Open Season in North Dakota

Saint Mary's will begin their 2019 season on the road as they travel to Fargo and Grand Forks this week to face two tough teams.

MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's will kick off their season this week with a two-game road trip to North Dakota. The Gaels open the season in Fargo at North Dakota State on Friday before heading to Grand Forks to face North Dakota on Sunday. 

Head coach Travis Clarke's club will lean on their large senior class this season as they look to improve on last year's 7-10-2 record. SMC returns their two top scorers, Jalyen Crim and Jordyn Cunningham, who both posted double-digit points in 2018 and will be seniors this season. 

The Gaels recorded a solid defensive shutout in their lone exhibition game last week versus San Jose State as they allowed just four shots. Saint Mary's recorded four clean sheets in 2018. 

"We are excited to start our season," said Clarke. "We have been working really hard on and off the field and we feel we are in a good place physically and emotionally. North Dakota State and North Dakota are quality opponents that will be even tougher on the road."

ABOUT NORTH DAKOTA STATE
The Bison will also be opening their season on Friday after playing two earlier exhibition matches last week. NSDU defeated NAIA-member Viterbo 3-0 on Wednesday before falling to Minnesota 3-0 on the road. 

North Dakota State posted a 9-7 record last year but were 6-2 in Summit League play. The Bison ended their season by winning four of their final five games but ultimately fell in the semifinal round of their conference tournament to conclude their season. 

The Bison return their top scorer from last year, Mariah Haberle, who tallied seven goals and 16 points as a junior in 2018. Bay Area native (Cupertino) and senior goalkeeper Monica Polgar also returns after starting all 16 games last season. Polgar recorded four shutouts and a 1.28 goals against average in her junior campaign. 

The Gaels and Bison have never met before. 

ABOUT NORTH DAKOTA
The Fighting Hawks welcome Saint Mary's to Grand Forks, N.D. for their second match of the year after hosting Montana two days prior. UND was victorious in their two preseason exhibitions against Manitoba (4-1) and Viterbo (5-0) last week. 

North Dakota went 9-6-2 last season which marked the school's most wins since it became a Div. I program in 2008. The Fighting Hawks also compete in the Summit League and recorded a 3-4-1 conference record. 

UND will be without their top performer from 2018, Katie Moller, who scored 15 goals and added five assists in 17 games but they do bring back their second highest scorer, Olivia Knox. In her freshman season, Knox tallied five goals and five helpers. 

Sunday's match will also be SMC and North Dakota's first ever meeting. 

 
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Players Mentioned

Jordyn Cunningham

#32 Jordyn Cunningham

F
6' 0"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Jordyn Cunningham

#32 Jordyn Cunningham

6' 0"
Senior
F