Box Score Crookston, Minn. --- Three different Mavericks found the back of net and six recorded at least a point as eighth-ranked Minnesota State remained unblemished in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action with a 3-1 win over Minnesota, Crookston Sunday afternoon at the UMC Soccer Field.
 
MSU improves to 5-1-0 overall, 3-0-0 in the NSIC and extends its conference unbeaten streak to 23 matches, tied for 17th longest in NCAA Division II history. Minnesota, Crookston drops to 2-4-0 overall and 0-3-0 in the circuit.
 
The first half saw strong defensive play from both squads who totaled just eight combined shots through the first 45 minutes. In the half's waning minutes, Minnesota State broke the deadlock courtesy of freshman Maddy Smith who rose above the Golden Eagle defense and headed a ball past UMC freshman Lexie Gauger to give the Mavericks a one-goal lead at the break. The marker was the first of Smith's collegiate career, while sophomore Emily Erickson was credited with her first career assist on the play.
 
Minnesota State picked up right where it left off in the 56th minute increasing the lead to 2-0 when junior Rebecca Pederson got loose on a long breakaway and beat Gauger for her first goal as a Maverick as sophomore Korey Kronforst tallied her team-leading third assist. Senior Tori Meinhardt joined the act with her first goal of the season in the 70th minute to extend the Purple and Gold cushion to three. However, the Golden Eagles would avoid the shutout in the 87th minute when freshman Kallie Gau bested junior goalkeeper Molly McGough to complete the 3-1 final.
 
Freshman Kiana Nickel also added an assist in the victory. McGough garnered one save on the day, while Gauger registered a match-high two saves for UMC.
 
Minnesota State will complete a six-match road trip next weekend beginning Saturday, September 28th at MSU-Moorhead. The match is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. at the Alex Nemzek Soccer Field.