What's On Tap: Fourth-ranked Minnesota State (14-1-1, 12-0-1 NSIC) enters the final weekend of regular-season play seeking back-to-back Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular-season championships. The Mavericks host Upper Iowa (13-3-0, 11-2-0 NSIC) Friday at 1 p.m. before heading east for a collision at rival Winona State (12-2-2, 11-2-0 NSIC) Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
The Mavericks will carry 33-match NSIC and home unbeaten streaks into this weekend's action, which are tied for 10th and 13th-best in NCAA Division II history.
 
Looking Back at Last Week: MSU scored twice in the first eight minutes before exploding for five second-half goals as it cruised a 7-0 over Sioux Falls last Saturday. Senior Courtney Vallarelli (Eagan, Minn.) found the back of the net just 89 seconds into the match off an assist from sophomore Korey Kronforst (Cary, Ill.); before Kronforst scored back-to-back goals elevating her season total to 16, a conference-best. Senior Tori Meinhardt (Maple Grove, Minn.) assisted both Kronforst markers then scored her fourth goal of the year in the 70th minute to put MSU up 5-0. Freshman Karissa Prpich (Rapid City, S.D.) completed the rout with her first career goal in the 84th minute, while junior Rebecca Pederson (Waconia, Minn.) added a pair of assists bringing her yearly total to eight, a team-high.
 
Last Sunday's showdown with No. 19 Southwest Minnesota State saw the Mavericks outshoot the Mustangs 10-4 in the first half and 25-13 for the match; but MSU was unable to score as the match ended, 0-0. Sophomore Lauren Hoeppner (Lakeville, Minn.) recorded a career-high seven saves en route to posting her first career shutout.

Tested but Not Bested: MSU stands 2-1-1 against teams in this week's NSCAA national top-25. The Mavericks defeated No. 24 Truman State 1-0 on Sept.6 and No. 12 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 also tied No. 19 Southwest Minnesota State last Sunday, 0-0.
 
Scouting the Peacocks: Upper Iowa stands tied for third in the NSIC with a 13-3-0 overall record and 11-2-0 in league play entering the final weekend of the regular season. The Peacocks are riding a five-match winning streak after defeating Augustana 1-0 and rolling over Wayne State 5-0 at home last weekend. UIU has outscored its opponents 38-15 to date this season. The Peacocks boast the league's second-highest scoring offense at 2.38 goals per game and stands fourth in the league in goals against average at 0.93.
 
Head coach Brian Diaz is in his first year leading the Peacocks after coming to UIU from NCAA Division I South Alabama. Junior Aimee Wronski (Fwd., 5-5, Huntley, Ill.) has been outstanding for the Peacocks offensively this season posting a team-high 14 goals and 34 points, while her six assists match a team-best. Wronski ranks second in the NSIC in goals and points. Sophomore Maddy Edwards (Mid., 5-6, Crystal Lake, Ill.) stands second in scoring for UIU with eight goals, six assists, and 22 points to date. In net, sophomore Kaitlyn Emanuel (GK, 5-6, Byron, Minn.) has started the last 13 matches in net for the Peacocks and posted a 1.00 goals against average and .813 save percentage.
 
Inside the MSU vs. UIU Series: Minnesota State has stands 2-1-2 all-time against Upper Iowa in a series dating back to 2008. The two teams have tied in their last pair of meetings including a 1-1 draw last season. MSU has outscored the Peacocks 5-4 all-time in the programs' five meetings.
 
Scouting the Warriors: Winona State stands 12-2-2 overall and 11-2-0 within the conference among one of three teams tied for third-place in the league. The Warriors are riding a 10-match winning streak after defending their home turf with a 5-0 win over Wayne State and a 3-1 victory over Augustana last weekend. Winona State has outscored its opponents 30-8 this season entering the final week of the regular season. The Warriors own the league's seventh-highest scoring offense at 1.88 goals per game and hold the NSIC's best defense with a 0.47 goals against average.
 
WSU is under the direction of 18th-year head coach Ali Omar who has amassed 11 NSIC regular-season championships and six NSIC tournament titles. The Warriors have been led offensively by junior Alaina Kne (Mid., St. Francis, Minn.) who has posted team-highs in goals (4) and points (11) along with a trio of assists. Sophomore Kati Baker (Mid., Appleton, Wis.) is the only other Warrior with double-digit points as she has four goals and two assists for 10 total points. Between the pipes, senior Alexandra Vial (GK, Madison, Wis.) has started 15 matches en route to registering a 0.50 goals against average and a .871 save percentage.
 
Inside the MSU vs. WSU Series: The Mavericks own a 7-13-0 all-time record against the Warriors but are currently on a two-match winning streak. MSU picked up a 2-0 home victory over WSU last season and has been outscored 34-27 in a series dating back to 1996.
 
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 237-106-26 (.678) all-time record in 369 matches and a 63-9-8 (.838) all-time mark in 80 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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