What's On Tap: Coming off a home sweep last weekend, second-rated Minnesota State (13-1-0, 11-0-0 NSIC) looks to continue its winning ways down the home stretch of conference play when it hosts Sioux Falls (2-11-1, 2-8-1 NSIC) Saturday at 1 p.m. and Southwest Minnesota State (13-1-0, 10-1-0 NSIC) Sunday at 1 p.m., on Senior Day.
 
The Mavericks will carry a 10-match winning streak along with 31-match Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and home unbeaten streaks into this weekend's action. The pair of unbeaten streaks rank 12th and tied for 13th all-time in NCAA Division II.
 
Looking Back at Last Week: MSU raced out to a 3-0 halftime lead and never looked back as it routed St. Cloud State 7-2 behind goals from six different Mavericks last Friday. Sophomore Emily Erickson (Woodbury, Minn.) collected her first career goal, the eventual game-winner, in the victory, while fellow sophomore Korey Kronforst (Cary, Ill.) notched two goals and an assist for an NSIC-leading 32 total points this year. Senior Courtney Vallarelli (Eagan, Minn.) set a new career-high with three helpers in the contest, and freshman Maddy Smith (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) added a goal and an assist for the Purple and Gold.
 
The Mavericks found themselves in a significantly tighter match last Sunday against Minnesota Duluth but used a superb defensive effort and Erickson's second goal of the weekend to secure a 1-0 win. Erickson netted the lone marker in the 55th minute with a shot from 30 yards out that hung in the air and tucked just under the crossbar as MSU suffocated one of the league's best offenses to just six shots, including two on goal in the match.

Class of the Conference: Up until this week, Minnesota State had turned out an NSIC Player of the Week for three consecutive weeks and every week in October. The Mavericks have a league-best five NSIC POW's this season including Offensive Players of the Week Kronforst, Vallarelli, and junior Jess Bowe (Anoka, Minn.), Defensive Player of the Week junior Bre Steele (Eagan, Minn.), and Goalkeeper of the Week junior Molly McGough (Centennial, Colo.).
 
Tested but Not Bested: MSU stands 2-1-0 against teams in this week's NSCAA national top-25. The Mavericks defeated No. 23 Truman State 1-0 on Sept.6 and No. 14 Central Missouri 3-0 on Sept. 8; but suffered a 2-0 defeat to No. 1 Grand Valley State back on Sept. 15. The Purple and Gold will face No. 25 Southwest Minnesota State this Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
Scouting the Cougars: Sioux Falls sits 13th in the NSIC with a 2-11-1 overall record and 2-8-1 mark inside the conference with two weeks remaining in the regular season. The Cougars split a pair of 2-1 contests a week ago falling to Northern State in double overtime before rebounding with a victory over MSU-Moorhead last Sunday afternoon. USF has been outscored 30-9 on the season. Its offense is tied for 14th in the conference at 0.64 goals per game, while its defense also ranks 14th with a 2.07 goals against average.
 
The Cougars are led by 11th-year head coach Mekonnen Afa who is in his seventh season guiding the women's soccer program. Junior Ciara Howerton (M/F, 5-7, Independence, Mo.) leads the squad with six points off two goals and a team-high two assists this season. In goal, senior Corrin Cook (GK, 5-5, Woodbury, Minn.) has started all 13 matches posting a 2.07 goals against average and .741 save percentage with a pair of shutouts.
 
Inside the MSU vs. USF Series: Minnesota State has stands 2-0-0 all-time against Sioux Falls as the programs have met once each of the last two years. MSU collected a 7-0 home victory in 2011 and a 2-0 win at USF last season.
 
Scouting the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State has had an amazing run this season clinching its first winning season since 1999 and racing out to second-place in the NSIC with a 13-1-0 overall record and 10-1-0 within the conference. SMSU picked up a pair of victories a week ago as it bested MSU-Moorhead 3-1 before squeaking by Northern State 2-1 in the second overtime. The Mustangs have outscored their opponents 31-9 on the year en route to owning the league's fifth-highest scoring offense at 2.21 goals/game and the third-best defense with a 0.63 goals against average.
SMSU is under the direction of third-year head coach T.J. Buchholz who has amassed a 25-20-2 career record with the Mustangs. Sophomore Miranda Cadena (Fwd., 5-3, Highland Valley, Calif.) has paced the SMSU offense with 10 goals and 25 points to date, while sophomore Kendahl Fisher (Fwd., 5-7, Lakewood, Calif.) leads the team with nine assists and her 15 points are second-most. Between the pipes, freshman Brienna Dehkes (GK, 5-11, Elk River, Minn.) has generated a 0.68 goals against average and .866 save percentage in 12 starts.
 
Inside the MSU vs. SMSU Series: The Mavericks have never lost to Southwest Minn. State holding a 13-0-0 all-time record in a series dating back to 1996. MSU earned a 2-0 victory at SMSU a year ago and has outscored the Mustangs 65-2 in the program's 13 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 236-106-25 (.677) all-time record in 367 matches and a 62-9-7 (.840) all-time mark in 78 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.