2026 and season 34 is officially underway for the University of Minnesota soccer team as they hosted the North Dakota Fighting Hawks on Thursday in their home opener. The Gophers win over the Hawks was the first of two matches the team will host this weekend in St. Paul.
Minnesota 4 – 0 North Dakota
Minnesota came out of the gate as the team flying high and fast. Kate Childers third minute goal opened the scoring and that was followed by a fourth minute goal from Katie Krohn. Krohn went on to score a second goal in 49th minute, securing a brace in the season opener. Davy Mokelke wrapped up the scoring in the 87th minute to put Minnesota up 4–0.
A full recap of the Gophers/Hawks match will come out on Sunday evening alongside a recap of Minnesota vs Georgia, following the Gophers and Bulldogs match that day.
Up Next: Gophers vs Georgia - Sunday at Noon
Coming into Sunday's match Georgia is the favoured team against Minnesota. With a pre-season ranking of #19 (United Soccer Coaches) in the nation the Bulldogs are a dangerous side to face. The Bulldogs finished 2025 with a 10-6-5 (W-D-L) record and qualifying for the NCAA tournament, where they fell to Ohio State by one goal.
Opening the 2026 season Georgia drew Illinois nil-nil on Thursday night in Champaign, IL. Last season the Bulldogs averaged just under two goals per match, but departures and graduations hurt the teams offence heading into 2026. Kiera Staude (6 goals, 2 asst in 2025) is the top offensive production player returning for 2026. On the other side of the pitch goalkeeper Hannah Folliard returns for another season with the Bulldogs after allowing less than one goal per match last season.
