What's On Tap: After wrapping up non-conference action a week ago, eighth-ranked Minnesota State heads north as the Mavericks dive into their first full weekend of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play beginning Saturday at Bemidji State (1 p.m.) and concluding Sunday at Minnesota, Crookston (1 p.m.).

Minnesota State carries a 21-match NSIC unbeaten streak into the weekend having defeated the Beavers and Golden Eagles by scores of 5-0 and 3-1, respectively, a year ago. MSU is currently in the midst of a six-match road trip that will conclude next weekend with trips to MSU-Moorhead and Northern State.

Looking Back at Last Week: The Mavericks claimed their NSIC-opener at Concordia-St. Paul by a margin of 1-0 last Thursday night behind sophomore Korey Kronforst's (Cary, Ill.) first goal of the year. Senior Courtney Vallarelli (Eagan, Minn.) garnered an assist on the marker, while junior Molly McGough (Centennial, Colo.) posted her third shutout of the year and 21st career shutout in NSIC play, one shy of tying for second all-time in the league.

MSU suffered its first defeat of the year to then-No. 2 Grand Valley State, 2-0, last Sunday afternoon as the Lakers collected goals in the fifth and 71st minutes, respectively. The loss snapped a school-record 24-match unbeaten streak dating back to Sept. 2, 2012, which tied for the 14th longest streak in NCAA Division II history. McGough recorded a match-high nine saves for MSU, one shy of her single-game career high.

Beat the Best to Be the Best: MSU stands 1-1-0 against top-25 teams this season having defeated then-No. 11 Central Missouri, 3-0, at home on Sept. 8, before dropping a 2-0 decision to second-ranked Grand Valley State last Sunday in Allendale, Mich. The Mavericks are currently the only NSIC ranked inside the nation's top-25.

Scouting the Beavers: Bemidji State is off to a fast start standing 4-0-0 overall and 1-0-0 in NSIC competition after a 1-0 win over Minnesota, Crookston two weeks ago. The Beavers picked up a pair of road wins at Michigan Tech, 2-1, and at Northern Michigan, 3-1, last weekend. BSU is outscoring opponents by a combined margin of 8-2 overall and 3-0 at home in 2013.

Head coach Jim Stone - the winningest coach in BSU soccer history - is in his 10th season leading the program and has racked up 74 career wins with the Beavers. Sophomore Abigail Nyquist (Def., 5-7, Golden Valley, Minn.) leads the team in points (5) and game-winning goals (2) having scored on both of her shots this season, while freshman Sarah Stram (Fwd., 5-4, Elk Grove Village, Ill.) is tied with Nyquist for the team lead in goals (2) and leads BSU in shots (12) and shots on goal (7) through its first four games.

Inside the MSU vs. BSU Series: Minnesota State stands 7-1-1 all-time against Bemidji State in a series dating back to 1996. MSU dropped the Beavers 5-0 a year ago and has outscored BSU a combined 44-2 in the programs' nine meetings.

Scouting the Golden Eagles:  Minnesota, Crookston stands 2-2-0 overall and 0-1-0 in NSIC play to date in 2013. UMC topped Providence University College and Theological Seminary, 2-0, in its only action last week.

The Golden Eagles are led by head coach Joe Alianiello. Senior Nikki Hammond (Fwd., 5-4, Nelson, Minn.) leads UMC in goals (2) and total points (4) this season with one game-winner to her credit. Additionally, freshman Lexie Gauger (GK, 5-9, Green Bay, Wis.) has posted a 1.00 goals against average and .880 save percentage with 22 saves and one shutout in three starts this year.

Inside the MSU vs. UMC Series: Minnesota State is undefeated all-time against UMC owning a 6-0-0 record in the series dating back to 1999. The Mavericks picked up a 3-1 home victory over Minnesota, Crookston a year ago and have outscored the Golden Eagles by a combined score of 35-3 all-time.

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 hold a 226-106-25 (.668) all-time record and 52-9-7 (.816) all-time mark in 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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