UMD Women’s Soccer Travels to Face Mary and Minot State
The University of Minnesota Duluth women’s soccer team travels to North Dakota to face the University of Mary Marauders and the Minot State Beavers in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. UMD brings a 4-1-2 overall record into the weekend, anchoring their early-season success on a stingy defense conceding just 0.57 goals per game.
The Road Ahead in Bismarck and Minot
UMD kicks off the weekend road trip on Friday at 3:00 p.m. in Bismarck against UMary before heading west to face Minot State on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The Bulldogs enter the conference fixtures looking to build on a solid start to the 2026 campaign, outscoring opponents nine to four through their first seven matches.
The defensive unit remains a primary driver for the Bulldogs. Goaltender Edy Halverson has recorded four shutouts so far this season, the most by a UMD goaltender since 2023. Meanwhile, the offense has found a distinct advantage on set pieces. UMD leads the NSIC in total corner kicks with 48, averaging nearly seven per game, and has converted six of their nine total goals off of corner opportunities.
Historical Matchups and Opponent Form
Against UMary, the Bulldogs hold a narrow 8-7-6 edge in the all-time series heading into their 22nd meeting. Recent history favors the Marauders, however, as UMD is winless at 0-5-5 against UMary since their last victory in 2014. UMary enters the weekend at 3-2-2 overall and 2-1-1 in NSIC play, coming off a pair of 1-0 victories. Forward Dina Polanco anchors the UMary attack, having scored seven of the team’s ten goals this season.
Sunday’s opponent, Minot State, presents another difficult historical hurdle for the Bulldogs. UMD holds a 4-9-0 all-time record against the Beavers and enters Sunday’s matchup on a two-game losing streak against them, with their last win occurring in 2023. Minot State stands at 2-5-0 overall and 1-3-0 in the conference, looking to spark an offense that has been outscored 3-10.
Player Statistics and Leadership on the Pitch
Lauren McGough leads the UMD offensive effort with four goals through seven games, including the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over Wayne State. Nora Helvig paces the squad in total shots with 20 while adding a goal in a 1-1 draw against Augustana. Five different Bulldogs have scored through the opening month of the season.
Gwendolyn Lilly and Julia Skarda lead the field players in time played, logging 616 and 594 minutes respectively through the first seven contests of the 2026 schedule.
NSIC Context and Wider Schedule
Other league programs are facing heavy stretches, with St. Cloud State University athletics managing a busy NSIC slate that includes home fixtures against Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls alongside upcoming matches against Minnesota Duluth and Bemidji State.