Last night, the University of North Dakota Soccer team got off to a fast start in their preseason opener against the University of Manitoba Bisons. They won the game 5-1 on a goal eight seconds in from Katie Moller, and a superb showing by freshman playing their first game helped spur the Fighting Hawks to an exhibition win.

1. When the coaching staff mentioned which recruits that would contribute this year, each of them had a different answer. Head Coach Chris Logan’s answer of Olivia Knox proved very timely yesterday. She had a superb game getting multiple chances and using her speed to keep the offense going. Knox had two goals and an assist. The goals came from her crashing the net on a free kick rebound, and drawing a foul in the box. Knox converted the penalty kick she earned.
2. Although she did not score a goal, Mimi Eiden, sophomore forward used her speed on the fast turf surface at East Grand Forks to setup numerous chances. The coaching staff was impressed with the winter and spring seasons she had, the 423 fans at last night’s game can understand why. We all knew that Eiden plays fast and uses her speed to generate chances, this turf field could propel her to even greater heights this year as she builds on a solid freshman campaign.
3. Although Logan was quite happy with the offense, and pace of the game, one thing to watch as UND takes on South Dakota Saturday is its defense. Manitoba scored its only goal on a superb long shot towards the end of the game by utilizing gaps in UND’s defense. If the Fighting Hawks can matchup well against a Summit League squad on Saturday, even in exhibition play, it will be a sign of good things to come this season. The Fighting Hawks showed strong defense last season, if it can figure out the turf field and the offense can build on last night’s performance, good things are in store this season for UND.