What's on Tap: The MSU soccer team opens the season this weekend with two nonconference games against the top two teams in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athleic Association last year. Friday, the Mavericks face the Bulldogs of Truman State at 4 p.m. in Kirksville, Mo. Sunday, Minnesota State travels to Warrensburg, Mo. to take on the defending MIAA champion Central Missouri Jennies.
A Brief Overview of the Mavericks: Minnesota State returns 10 of 11 starters off a team that finished 17-3-3 and was crowned NSIC tournament champions. MSU's 14th winning season in a row ended in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Mavericks outscored opponents 56-11 in 2011 and return 55 of those goals. Six newcomers join Minnesota State this season, including five freshman and a junior transfer.
About Truman State: The Bulldogs finished 11-6-2 last season, including a 7-1 MIAA conference record and won eight of their last ten. Truman State was one spot away in the region rankings from a berth in the NCAA tournament. The Bulldogs were tough to beat at home with a 5-1-1 mark. They outscored opponents 27-23 and posted three wins in four overtime games.
Truman State returns it's top-two leading scorers from 2011, including senior midfielder Kelsey Twellman who collected 20 points off eight goals and four assists. Junior defense Suzanne Pelley was named All-MIAA First Team last season, while junior goal keeper Emily Bozdeck played in seven games making 13 saves and allowing five goals against. Head coach Mike Cannon is in his twentieth year as coach of the Bulldogs and owns a 253-90-37 career record.
MSU/Truman State History: The series dates back to 1997 with Truman State holding a 7-2 advantage all-time over MSU. The Mavericks last win over the Bulldogs occured in 2000 with a 3-2 victory in Mankato. Since ,Minnesota State has dropped four straight to Truman with the last meeting coming in 2006.
About Central Missouri: The Central Missouri Jennies are coming off a 19-2 campaign in 2011, the second best in program history. Central Missouri was ranked in the top 10 nationally before faling to Dallas Baptist 3-1 in the NCAA tournament first round. UCM outscored opponents 63-9 last season. Besides averaging 3.68 goals per game last season, Grand Valley booted 24.8 shots per game. GVSU didn't give up a goal in the postseason last year (GLIAC tournament or the NCAA tournament).
The Jennies return six of seven players named to the All-MIAA First Team last year, including second-leading scorer junior midfielder Becky Lackey who recorded 26 points with 11 goals and four assists. 2011 conference freshman of the year, Nicki Wisnasky, added eight goals and an assist. Junior goal keeper Brooke Cooley earned all 19 Jennie wins making 39 saves and allowing nine goals against. Head coach Lewis Theobald, four-time conference coach of the year, enters his fifth year at Central Missouri with a 60-14-8 record.
MSU/Central Missouri History: The two teams have played seven times since 2001 to a 3-3-1 record. MSU has won four of the past five matches, including a 7-6 shootout win in 2007.
Program History: The 2012 season marks the 18th year of women’s soccer as a varsity sport at Minnesota State. The Mavericks defeated St. Cloud State in the 2011 NSIC Championship game, earning them the title of conference champions. The Mavericks currently hold a 207-105-20 (.654) all-time record and also captured the NSIC tournament crown in 2008. MSU has made a post-season appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011.
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