What's On Tap: After picking up a pair of distinctly different road victories last week, third-rated Minnesota State (11-1-0, 9-0-0 NSIC) embarks on a five-match home stand this weekend when it tangles with St. Cloud State (6-5-1, 3-5-1 NSIC) Friday at 3 p.m., at The Pitch and Minnesota Duluth (9-2-0, 8-1-0 NSIC) Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
The Mavericks enter the home swing riding a 29-match Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference unbeaten streak and 29-match home unbeaten streak, which are 14th and tied for 14th, respectively, in NCAA Division II history.
 
Looking Back at Last Week: MSU cruised to a 7-0 victory over host Wayne State last Saturday behind goals from five different Mavericks, including three by sophomore Korey Kronforst (Cary, Ill.) for her first career hat trick. Junior Rebecca Pederson (Waconia, Minn.) established a new single-match program record with four assists in the win, while sophomore Emily Erickson (Woodbury, Minn.) set a new single-match career-high with a pair of helpers.
 
In last Sunday's weekend finale, Minnesota State found itself trailing 1-0 at halftime, but regained its stride in the second half. Freshman Kiana Nickel (Wayzata, Minn.) drilled her fourth goal of the year from 18 yards out in the 69th minute, before junior Jessica Bowe (Anoka, Minn.) scored off a header on a ball served by Nickel in the 74th minute. Augustana would knot the match at 2-2 less than a minute later, but MSU prevailed for a 3-2 win in the second overtime and 102nd minute when Bowe struck again off an assist from Nickel as she buried a rebound to secure the Mavericks' third overtime win of the season.
Class of the Conference: For the third consecutive week, a Maverick earned NSIC player of the week honors. Bowe received the distinction for the first time in her career after her career-best two goals and first career game-winner in MSU's 3-2 win over Augustana. She was the fifth MSU player to capture weekly conference accolades this year.
 
Tested but Not Bested: MSU stands 2-1-0 against teams in this week's NSCAA national top-25. The Mavericks defeated No. 20 Truman State 1-0 on Sept.6 and No. 24 Central Missouri 3-0 on Sept. 8; but suffered a 2-0 defeat to No. 1 Grand Valley State back on Sept. 15.
 
Scouting the Huskies: St. Cloud State sits 6-5-1 overall and 3-5-1 within the conference this season to tie for the eighth and final spot in the NSIC tournament with three weeks to play. The Huskies garnered a road split last weekend besting U-Mary 3-2 before falling at Minot State, 3-1. SCSU has been outscored 21-17 to date this year. It owns the league's eighth-highest scoring offense at 1.42 goals per game, while its 1.67 goals against average ranks 12th.
 
Head coach Becky Heiberger-McCabe is in her sixth season leading the Husky soccer program and has collected a 54-42-13 career mark at SCSU. Senior Kara Dahmen (Mid., 5-4, Waunakee, Wis.) currently leads the Huskies with nine points off two goals and five assists, while sophomore Namoi Kolhoff (Fwd., 5-4, Princeton, Minn.) has scored a team-high three goals. Between the pipes, sophomore Brittany Plombon (GK, 5-7, Minnetonka, Minn.) has started all 12 matches posting a 1.67 goals against average and .809 saves percentage.
 
Inside the MSU vs. SCSU Series: Minnesota State owns a 20-5-1 all-time advantage over St. Cloud State in a series dating back to 1995. The Mavericks currently own a five-match winning streak over the Huskies including a 1-0 victory last year. MSU has outscored SCSU 69-24 in the programs' 26 meetings.
 
Scouting the Bulldogs: Minnesota Duluth owns a 9-2-0 overall ledger and 8-1-0 mark in conference play to stand tied for second place.  UMD has won four straight contests after defeating Minot State 2-1 and U-Mary 4-0 on the road a week ago. The Bulldogs have also only lost to one NCAA DII team this season (SMSU). Minnesota Duluth has outscored its counterparts 27-13 this season, while holding the league's third-best offense at 2.45 goals per game and sixth-best defense with a 1.18 goals against average.
 
UMD is led by 20th-year head coach Greg Cane, who has amassed a 212-114-32 as the only skipper Bulldog soccer has ever known. Junior Maureen Stormont (Fwd., 5-9, Stillwater, Minn.) has paced the UMD offense with 11 goals and 25 points this season, while senior Dani Potter (Fwd., 5-6, White Bear Lake, Minn.) has a team-best seven helpers along with seven goals for 21 total points. In goal, sophomore Marissa Rosa (GK, 5-7, Champlin, Minn.) owns a 1.18 goals against average and .750 save percentage in 11 starts.
 
Inside the MSU vs. UMD Series: The Mavericks stand 15-8-2 all-time versus Minnesota Duluth. MSU is riding a three-match winning streak against UMD after besting the Bulldogs 5-1 and 5-0 a year ago. The Purple and Gold has outscored UMD by a margin of 47-24 in the program's 25 previous meetings.
 
Program History: The 2013 season marks the 19th year of women's soccer as a varsity sport at Minnesota State. MSU claimed its first NSIC regular-season championship last year after capturing NCC regular-season crowns in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2007.  The Mavericks currently boast a 234-106-25 (.675) all-time record in 365 matches and a 60-9-7 (.836) all-time mark in 76 matches and six seasons in the NSIC. The Purple and Gold have made seven appearances in the NCAA tournament, including two in a row (2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012). MSU has posted 15 consecutive winning seasons dating back to 1998, which ties for the ninth longest streak in NCAA Division II history.

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