Mankato, Minn.. --- Sixth-ranked Minnesota State scored three second-half goals en route to a convincing 3-0 victory over 11th-ranked Central Missouri Sunday afternoon at The Pitch as freshman Kiana Nickel collected her first two career goals.

The win elevates MSU to 2-0-0 on the year and extends the Mavericks' home unbeaten streak to 27 matches and its overall unbeaten streak to 23 straight matches, both school records.

It was a hard fought, physical match from the start that saw a total of 16 fouls and three cards between the two teams.

In a scoreless first half, the Mavericks earned a decisive 11-3 advantage in shots but were only able to put one on net, while the Jennies fired a pair of shots on goal at MSU junior netminder Molly McGough. MSU's best scoring opportunity came in the 36th minute when sophomore Emily Erickson served a ball to junior Emily Moris - who was left alone in the box - but Moris fired a shot that missed wide left.

Minnesota State broke the tie in the 63rd minute when senior Courtney Vallarelli - who had her initial shot blocked - lifted a ball past UCM sophomore Morgan Hartzler for her second goal of the season.

Nickel gave the Mavericks a 2-0 lead in the 70th minute when she tucked a ball inside the left post after a perfect pass from junior Sydney Temple. Sixteen minutes later, Nickel struck again to cement the 3-0 win as she beat Hartzler for the second time on the left side after assists from Moris and freshman Laura Pivovar, who earned her first career point on the play.

Senior Tori Meinhardt, sophomore Korey Kronforst, Temple, Pivovar and Moris all garnered an assist a piece in the win.

The Mavericks outshot the Jennies 23-8 on the day with a 7-3 advantage in shots on goal. McGough recorded a match-high four saves to earn her second shutout of the year and 27th of her career, while Hartzler totaled three for UCM.

No. 6 MSU (2-0-0) returns to action next Thursday as it opens NSIC play on the road at Concordia-St. Paul. The match is slated to start at 7 p.m.