Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State women's soccer faces No. 11 Minot State on Saturday at 1:00 p.m., and U-Mary on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Both matches are being played at The Pitch.

Looking Back at Last Week: Minnesota State (10-3-1, 9-2-0 NSIC) won three Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference road matches last week to extend its winning streak to six -- all shutout victories. The Mavericks defeated Concordia-St. Paul 1-0 on Wednesday, MSU Moorhead 2-0 on Saturday and Northern State 2-0 on Sunday. The Mavericks moved into second in the NSIC standings. 

The Scoring Touch: After scoring four goals in their first four matches combined, the Mavericks have tallied 31 goals over their last 10 matches -- an average of 3.10 goals per match. Over that time period, Minnesota State has garnered a 9-1-0 record, while outscoring its opponents 31-3. With its offensive surge, Minnesota State has moved into a tie with Bemidji State for first in the NSIC in goals per game (2.50) and 12th in NCAA DII in total goals (35). Minnesota State is first in the NSIC with 290 shots. 

Swarming Defense: The Maverick defense has held the opposition to three goals total over the last 10 matches, propelling the Mavericks to a 9-1-0 record over that span. Minnesota State is first in the NSIC and tied for third in NCAA DII with 11 shutouts. In their three shutout wins last week, Minnesota State held Concordia-St. Paul, MSU Moorhead and Northern State to a combined nine shots on goal. For her role in the Maverick defense, sophomore defender Morgan Seemuth was named the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in her career.  

Keeping Up With Cottew: Sophomore forward Morgan Cottew, who scored game-winning goals in the Maverick wins over Concordia-St. Paul and Northern State, leads the team in both goals (11), and points (27). Cottew, who has scored in 10-of-14 matches in 2016, has already surpassed her 2015 goal and point totals of nine and 24, respectively. Cottew is third in the NSIC in goals.  

Impact Rookies: Freshman midfielder Alesha Duccini and freshman forward Taylor Kenealy have been regular contributors on the offensive side of the ball. Duccini has recorded 17 points -- third amongst Mavericks -- on six goals and five assists. Kenealy has tallied five goals and four assists for 14 points -- the fourth-highest point total by a Maverick.

All-Time Mavericks: Senior midfielder Kiana Nickel tallied one goal and one assist for three points last week. Nickel, who is second on the Mavericks with 20 points on seven goals -- the second most behind sophomore forward Morgan Cottew -- and a team-leading six assists, moved into sole possession of third place on the Maverick career assist list (29) and fifth place on the career point list (97).  

Goalkeeping Trio: Freshman Alexa Rabune, freshman Ryann Rydeen, and sophomore Taylor Livermore each recorded a shutout win last week. Maverick goalkeepers have shutout the opposition 78.6 percent of the time in 2016 -- the third-highest rate in NCAA DII.  

Scouting Minot State: The 11th-ranked Beavers (11-1-0, 10-0-0 NSIC), who bring a 10-game winning streak to The Pitch on Saturday, have outscored the opposition 29-5 this season. Minot State is first in the NSIC standings.

In their last match, Minot State defeated Upper Iowa 3-0 at home on Sunday. Jannely Rangel scored her first goal of the season for the game-winning score. 

The Beaver offense is led by senior forward Ninfa Ramirez, who leads the NSIC in goals (15) and points (34). Ramirez is sixth in NCAA DII in points and tied for sixth in goals. 

Scouting U-Mary: The Marauders (3-6-3, 3-5-2 NSIC) are 2-2-1 in their last five matches, including a 2-1 win over Winona State at home on Sunday. U-Mary is 12th in the NSIC standings.

In their win over Winona State, Michelle McGeary scored her team-leading fourth goal of the season. McGeary's goal was the difference in the match.

McGeary also leads the team in assists (4) and points (12), while Megan Searson has garnered two goals and two assists for six points.
 
Facing Minot State: The Mavericks are 4-0-2 all-time against the Beavers, including a 1-1 tie at The Pitch in 2015. 

Facing U-Mary: The Mavericks, who are 8-0-2 all-time against the Marauders, have won the last five meetings in the series, including a 3-0 win at The Pitch in 2015.