Mankato, Minn. --- What's on Tap:  The Minnesota State women's soccer team (14-1-1, 13-0-0 NSIC) hosts second-place Winona State, then travels to third-place Upper Iowa in an attempt to earn its first-ever Northern Sun regular-season championship.

Recapping Last Weekend's Action:  MSU remained perfect in NSIC competition last weekend away from Mankato topping Southwest Minnesota State 2-0 Saturday behind a goal each from seniors Brianne West and Brittany Henry.

The Mavericks proved victorious on Sunday as well besting Sioux Falls 2-0 as junior Tori Meinhardt and senior Nicole Dooher each scored in the two programs' first NSIC match. Sophomore Molly McGough earned her 21st and 22nd career shutouts to become the MSU all-time leader passing assistant coach Sheila Reynolds.

Scouting the Warriors:  Winona State (13-3-0, 12-1-0 NSIC) is riding an eight-match winning streak and defeated Augustana and Wayne State by identical 1-0 scores a week ago.  WSU sits second in the NSIC just a game behind the Mavericks

Two freshmen, Mehan Bolton and Caitlin Lilly, are the only Warriors with double-digit points this season each totalling 4-2--10 for the NSIC's third-highest scoring offense.  Sophomore netminder Alexandra Vial has posted a 0.65 GAA and .877 save percentage in 16 starts to head the conference's fourth-best scoring defense.

Inside the MSU/WSU Series: Minnesota State is 6-13-0 all-time against Winona State is a series dating back to 1996. MSU is 3-6 since 2006 including a 1-0 win last season.  The Warriors have won eight consecutive NSIC regular-season championships dating back to 2003.

Scouting the Peacocks: Upper Iowa (13-2-1, 10-2-1 NSIC) also earned two NSIC wins a week ago dropping Wayne State 2-0 before clipping Augustana 1-0 in double overtime.  UIU stands third in the league, 2.5 games behind MSU.

Three Peacocks have collected double-digits points this year led by sophomores Kali Loeschler and Jill Schechinger with 5-2--12 and 4-3--11 respectively.  Junior netminder Amanda Smith has posted 11 shutouts, a 0.37 GAA, and a .909 save percentage to head the second-best scoring defense in the NSIC.

Inside the MSU/UIU Series:  Minnesota State sits 2-1-1 all-time versus Upper Iowa dating back to 2008.  The two programs tied 0-0 a year ago in Fayette.

Home Sweet Home:  The Mavericks are 7-0-1 at the Pitch at Gage Towers this season and currently in the midst of a school-record 21 game home unbeaten streak dating back to 2010.

Keep on Streaking:  Along with its home unbeaten streak, Minnesota State is unbeaten in its last 14 games which ties a school record.  MSU has also won 12 straight contests just one away from the program-record.

Climbing the Ranks: After debuting at #24 in the NSCAA Poll, MSU has been nationally ranked all seven weeks and sits at #1 for the second straight week.  The Mavericks stand second in the NCAA Central Region rankings.

Nationally Known:  The Mavericks rank 12th in the nation in scoring average with a 2.81 goals/game mark.  Minnesota State is also third in the country in scoring defense at 0.37 goals/game. Individually, senior forward Nicole Dooher (right) sits seventh nationally with ten assists on the year, while sophomore Molly McGough ranks fourth in GAA at 0.32 and 18th with a .875 save percentage.

Stars of the Northern Sun:  Minnesota State currently leads the NSIC in nearly every major statistical category including shots (364), points (149), goals (45), assists (59), goals allowed (6), and rates second in shutouts (11). Dooher is tied for first in the conference in assists (20) and tied for second in points (22). Senior Brianne West and junior Tori Meinhardt are tied for third in the NSIC with six assists each.

Standing Out:  MSU currently owns sole possession of first-place in the NSIC at 13-0-0. Conference rival and Friday's opponent Winona State sits one game behind at 12-1-0.

To view complete release, click HERE