The Free Press
The Minnesota State women’s soccer team drew the No. 4 seed for the upcoming NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament, it was announced Monday.
The Mavericks (11-3-5) open tournament play against No. 5 seed Central Missouri (15-4-2) on Friday at Topeka, Kansas. The time has not been announced.
Minnesota State defeated the Jennies 1-0 on Sept. 8 at The Pitch.
Friday’s winner will take on No. 1 Washburn or Ouachita Baptist in the region semifinals.
Minnesota State has qualified in each of the past 11 tournaments and is 11-13-6 all-time in postseason games
Player of week
Minnesota State senior Malik Willingham has been named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference player of the week after leading the men’s basketball team in scoring in a pair of victories last weekend at the Central Region Challenge in Kansas City, Missouri.
The guard from Waseca scored 24 points to go with nine rebounds in a 90-70 victory over Southern Arkansas and then had 18 points and eight assists in a 69-57 win against Arkansas-Monticello.
It’s the second time in Willingham’s career that he’s received the Northern Sun weekly award.
Minnesota State plays a nonconference game at St. Cloud State on Saturday.
Rookie of the week
Minnesota State freshman defenseman Evan Murr was named Rookie of the Week by the Central Collegiate Hockey Association on Monday after the Mavericks swept Ferris State 6-2 and 3-2 in overtime at Big Rapids, Michigan.
Murr had an assist in the first game, then scored the game-winner in overtime on Saturday.
Minnesota State (4-3-1, 2-0-0 in CCHA) hosts Bemidji State on Friday and Saturday at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.
Women’s golf signings
Alex Schmitz, director of golf at Minnesota State, announced that three prep players have signed letters of intent to join the women’s golf program.
Emerson Garlie of Northfield; Meghan DeLong of Clear Lake, Iowa; and Mila Jenniges of Redwood Valley will be attending Minnesota State next season.
Garlie is a three-time All-Big Nine Conference selection and finished seventh at the state tournament in June. DeLong is also a three-time all-conference selection who finished third at the Class AAA tournament in Iowa. Jenniges was an all-state selection as a sophomore and junior who played in three state tournaments, placing eighth last season.
Newest swimmers
Minnesota State coach Nathan Owens has announced the signing of eight student-athletes to join the program next year.
Savannah Acker of Lodi, Wisconsin; Teresa Collingwood of Rocky Mountain, Colorado; Kaylie Gibbs of Parker, Colorado; Lilly Heine of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Averi Larsen of Waterford, Wisconsin; Carley Miller of Muskego, Wisconsin; Norah Naatjes of Stillwater; and Sydney Pippert of Thornton, Colorado, will join the Mavericks next season.