NORTHERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW: A LOOK AT THE REIGNING CHAMPIONS

Written By:    Andrew Conniff
               Central Region Contributor

The Northern Conference is in for a totally new look this WPSL season. There are now nine teams in the conference after the addition of three expansion teams. The conference newcomers include Joy AC (Minn.), Manitou F.C. (Minn.), and Sioux Falls City FC (S.D.). These expansion teams may find confidence in knowing that last season’s Northern Conference Champion, Minnesota Thunder (MTA), found success in its first WPSL season.

Minnesota Thunder went 6-1-1 in 2021, its debut season, to come out on top of the conference. It looks unlikely that the Thunder will lose any momentum going into 2022 as it returns five All-Conference players from the 2021 campaign, including Northern Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Paige Peltier, and Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Hayley Lindaman.

Sophomore forward from Notre Dame, Peltier and the Irish made a run in the NCAA Tournament during the fall and finished ranked 16^th nationally. Lindaman played nearly 1300 minutes for South Dakota State in the fall as they went on to win the Summit League Tournament and qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

Despite Lindaman’s demanding nursing major, South Dakota State Associate Head Coach, Andy Jansen said she “comes to practice ready and focused.” Janssen has been impressed with Lindaman’s consistency and work rate and feels that has helped her continue to improve into the player she is now, and he recognizes the value the WPSL offers their student-athletes.

“The WPSL offers opportunities for players to get experience and playing time [during the NCAA off-season]. The experience of playing under a different coach and in different systems helps their development as well.”

Minnesota Thunder coach, Danny Storlien, comes back for his second season in charge and emphasizes MTA’s youth club’s impact on its WPSL squad.

“Our roster is made up of 23 players, all who played youth soccer at MTA and all play [NCAA] Division I college soccer, or will be in the near future,” Storlien said. “It is fun to see the alumnae return and blend them in with a handful of youth players…like ECNL Co-Midwest Player of the Year, Izzy Engle.”

Dara Andriga, an All-Conference midfield selection last WPSL season, also returns to the Thunder roster following an NCAA Tournament run with the University of Wisconsin. Coach Storlien mentioned other additions to their 2022 roster including Penn State sophomore, Kaitlin MacBean, and University of North Carolina commit, Maddie Dahlien.

The amount of talent on the Thunder’s roster is undoubtedly impressive. The quality of collegiate playing experience its players bring in is certainly something the club can build from. Still, the reigning conference champions aren’t taking anything for granted, as Storlien acknowledges the uncertainty three expansions bring ahead of the season. However, Storlien was extremely positive about the growth happening in the Northern Conference,

“It will be a lot of fun to have some new teams in the conference. It is great for women’s soccer and the growth of soccer in Minnesota and the upper Midwest.”

Minnesota Thunder opens its 2022 WPSL season on Thursday, June 2 against Rochester United, who went 3-1-4 in 2021. The Northern Conference opens play on Saturday, May 21 with two expansion teams facing each other for the first time as Joy AC hosts Sioux Falls FC for a 5pm kick-off.

“The league is made up of fantastic players and every team has a chance to get a result every night out,” said Storlien, commenting on the challenges that lay ahead for Minnesota Thunder’s Championship defense. “I hope I get a chance to go watch other games in the [Northern] Conference this year because the quality is that high.”