What's On Tap: Coming off its sixth straight victory last Sunday, fourth-ranked Minnesota State (9-1-0, 7-0-0 NSIC) heads south for its last full weekend away from Mankato during the regular-season to take on Wayne State (1-8-1, 1-5-1 NSIC) Saturday at 1 p.m., and Augustana (7-3-0, 5-2-0 NSIC) Sunday also at 1 p.m.
 
The Mavericks enter the weekend riding a 27-match Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference unbeaten streak which is tied for hte 14th-longest in NCAA Division II history.
 
Looking Back at Last Week: MSU earned a hard-fought 1-0 overtime victory last Friday over Minot State behind a goal in the 97th minute by sophomore Korey Kronforst (Cary, Ill.). The Mavericks outshot the Beavers 30-3 in the match as MISU was content playing an extremely defensive style in which it rarely crossed the center line.
 
The Purple and Gold regained its offensive stride last Sunday cruising to a 4-0 win over visiting U-Mary. Kronforst found the back of the net just 3:52 into the match, before junior Jessica Bowe (Anoka, Minn.) hit the crossbar and both posts in the 42nd minute on her first goal of the year. Kronforst struck again with her team-leading ninth goal of the year in the 66th minute, and freshman Maddy Smith (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) capped the victory with her fourth goal to date in the 82nd minute. Juniors Sydney Temple (Madison, Wis.) and Rebecca Pederson (Waconia, Minn.) each tallied a pair of assists in the match, while junior Kate Sandon (Urbandale, Iowa) and freshman Morgan Storch (Littleton, Colo.) each picked up their first career point with helpers in the contest. Additionally, junior Molly McGough notched her fifth shutout of the year with three saves.
 
Class of the Conference: McGough became the fourth different Maverick to capture weekly conference honors when she earned the NSIC Goalkeeper of the Week award on Oct. 7. It marked the second time she has received the distinction in her career. McGough posted back-to-back shutouts this past week to move into sole possession of second-place on the NSIC career shutout list with 22.
 
Tested but Not Bested: MSU stands 2-1-0 against teams in this week's NSCAA national top-25. The Mavericks defeated No. 22 Truman State 1-0 on Sept.6 and No. 11 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 Wildcats: Wayne State sits 1-8-1 overall and 1-5-1 in conference competition this season to tie for 13th in the NSIC. The Wildcats suffered a pair of road losses last weekend falling at Minnesota Duluth 5-0 before dropping a 2-1 decision at St. Cloud State. WSC has been outscored 34-8 this season. It ranks 10th in the NSIC in goals per game (0.80) and last in goals against average (3.29).
 
Head coach Tom Cliff is in his first season guiding the Wildcat soccer program after coming to WSC from Adams State. Senior Macy Hagen (M/D, 5-7, Bellevue, Neb.) leads the team in goals (3), points (7) and shots (25) while tying for the team lead in assists (1). Freshman Kylie Comba (GK, 5-3, Omaha, Neb.) has started all 10 matches for the Wildcats making 76 saves with a 3.29 goals against average and a .691 save percentage.
 
Inside the MSU vs. WSC Series: Minnesota State stands a perfect 8-0-0 all-time against Wayne State in a series dating back to 1998. The Mavericks earned a 1-0 victory last season and have outscored the Wildcats 34-0 in the programs' eight all-time meetings.
 
Scouting the Augies: Augustana currently stands tied for fifth in the NSIC as it has earned a 7-3-0 overall record and 5-2-0 league mark to date. Last week, the Vikings suffered their first losses in conference play as they fell at St. Cloud State 4-2 and lost to Minnesota Duluth 3-2 in overtime.  Augie has outscored its counterparts 25-14 in 2013 while tying for first in the league in goals per game (2.50) and sitting ninth in goals against average (1.35).
 
AC is led by eighth-year head coach Brandon Barkus who has compiled a 57-62-14 career record with the Vikings.  Senior Maren Werth (M/F, 5-9, Bloomington, Minn.) has posted team-bests in goals (8), points (16) and shots (44) this season, while senior Katie Hurd (Mid., 5-2, Gretna, Neb.) has tallied a team-high five assists. In goal, junior Ashley Limmer (GK, 5-11, Brandon, S.D.) has started all 10 matches amassing a 1.35 goals against average and .745 save percentage.
 
Inside the MSU vs. Augie Series: The Mavericks stand 15-2 all-time against Augustana in a series dating back to 2000 and have not lost since 2008. MSU has outscored the Vikings 69-9 all-time including a 4-0 home victory last season.
 
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 232-106-25 (.674) all-time record in 363 matches and a 58-9-7 (.831) all-time mark in 74 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.

To view the complete 12-page release, click HERE.