St. Paul, Minn. --- Sophomore Morgan Cottew scored in the 50th minute, freshman Alexa Rabune made four saves in goal, and the Mavericks held on for a 1-0 shutout victory over Concordia-St. Paul on Wednesday night at Sea Foam Stadium.

Minnesota State (8-3-1, 7-2-0 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference), which has won seven of its last eight matches, was the aggressor in the first half -- outshooting Concordia-St. Paul (2-6-4, 2-3-4 NSIC) 8-3, including a 4-1 shot on goal advantage. However, the Mavericks were unable to score in the first half.

Cottew, the reigning NSIC Offensive Player of the Week, struck quickly after the half. She received a pass from freshman Taylor Kenealy and laced a shot into the back of the net  in the 50th minute to give the Mavericks a 1-0 lead. 

With the goal, Cottew reached 10 goals in a single season for the first time in her Maverick career. She also recorded her 25th point of the season -- surpassing her total of 24 from 2015. Kenealy garnered her third assist and 13th point of the season.     

Concordia St. Paul fought back and tallied six shots in the second half, including three on goal, but Rabune (5-3-1) was equal to the task -- recording three of her four saves in the half. Rabune, the reigning NSIC Goalkeeper of the Week, notched her third straight shutout -- her fifth of the season.

Emily Nelson (1-4-2) made seven saves in goal for the Golden Bears.

The Mavericks return to action at NSIC foe MSU Moorhead on Saturday at noon.