What's On Tap: The Mavericks will hit the road this weekend to face two NSIC foes this coming weekend. On Saturday MSU will battle against the University of Sioux Falls at 1 p.m., before traveling to Marshall, Minn., to take on Soutwest Minnesota State.

The Mavericks boast one of the best defenses in the NSIC and are the only team in the league to not allow a goal all season. MSU owns a 2.00 scoring margin, ranking them second in the conference, and has allowed just 18 shots all season.
 
Looking Back at Last Week: The Mavericks won both of their contests, defeating Concordia-St. Paul on Thursday by a score of 3-0, before knocking off the defending national champions Grand Valley State 1-0 on Sunday. With the wins MSU improved to 4-0-0 overall and 1-0-0 in the NSIC. It was the first time in school history the Maverick soccer team knocked off the top-ranked team in the nation.

Against the Golden Bears, the Mavericks scored three unassisted goals in the second half and were led by sophomore Dana Savino who scored her first two goals of her career. Junior Korey Kronforst also was able to find the back of the net for her third goal of the season while MSU's defense only allowed four shots.

The Maverick defense was huge again on Sunday as it allowed just five shots on the afternoon and produced its fourth shutout in as many games. Sophomore Kiana Nickel made a beautiful pass to Kronforst as she was streaking down the middle of the field to score in the 82nd minute which proved to be the game-winner.

Scouting the Cougars: The University of Sioux Falls is looking to get its first win of the season. The Cougars currently have a record of 0-3-1 and are 0-1-0 on the league circuit after losing to Montana State-Billings and Southwest Minnesota State last week by scores of 2-0 and 6-1 respectively.

Head coach Mekonnen Afa is in his 7th season at the helm of the Cougars program and holds a record of  33-72-10 at USF. The University of Sioux Falls is led by senior Ciara Howerton (M, Independence, Mo.) and freshman Elisa Martinez (M, San Diego, Calif.) who each have one goal on the season. The Cougars are averaging .50 goals a game on the season while allowing 3.25.

Inside the MSU vs. USF Series: The meeting between USF and MSU will be the fourth meeting between the two schools with the Mavericks holding a perfect 3-0-0 record over the Cougars.

Scouting the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State is entering this weeks action with a 2-2-0 overall record and 1-0-0 record in NSIC play. Last week the Mustangs played Grand Valley in Mankato, losing to the Lakers 3-1. They were able to get back on track Sunday as they defeated the University of Sioux Falls 6-1.

Head coach TJ Bucholz is in his fourth season as head coach of the Mustangs and owns a 30-25-4 overall record. Bucholz was named the 2013 NSIC Coach of the Year after leading his team to a 16-4-2 overall record and a spot into the NCAA DII Tournament. Junior Miranda Cadena (F, Highland, Calif.) has five goals on the season along with two assists. She currently leads the league in points (12) and goals scored. Senior Autumn Hayes (M, La Crescent, Minn.) leads the team in assists (3) and second on the team in goals (2). SMSU leads the league in points (37), points per game (9.25), goals (14), and goals per game (3.50.

Inside the MSU vs. SMSU Series: The Mavericks hold a 13-1-1 record against the Mustangs. SMSU defeated the Mavericks in their meeting last year in the second round of the NCAA DII Tournament by a score of 2-1.

Program History: The 2014 season marks the 20th year of women's soccer as a varsity sport at Minnesota State. MSU claimed its second-straight NSIC regular-season championship  last year after capturing NCC regular-season crowns in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2007.  The Mavericks currently hold a 240-109-27 (.674) all-time record and 54-11-7 (.860) all-time mark in six seasons in the NSIC. MSU has posted 16 consecutive winning seasons dating back to 1998.

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