MANKATO, Minn. --- Despite early goals for both teams, Saturday's match between Minnesota State and #11 Minot State ended in a 1-1 tie.
With the tie, the Mavericks now own a 10-3-2 overall record, including a 9-2-1 NSIC record. The Beavers now own an 11-1-1 overall record and a 10-0-1 league record. Minnesota State freshman goaltender
Alexa Rabune (5-3-2) and Minot State goaltender Erin Rafferty (8-1-1) each played a complete match.
Both of Saturday's goals came within the first 16 minutes of the first half. At the 11:42 mark of the first half, the Mavericks struck first. MISU's Erin Rafferty stopped a shot from MSU senior
Kiana Nickel, but freshman
Alesha Duccini was able to kick the rebound into the net to give the Mavericks an early 1-0 lead. Duccini's goal represents her seventh goal of the season.
Less than four minutes later, the Beavers were able to knot up the score at 1-1 at the 15:24 mark of the first half after Ninfa Ramirez found the back of the net for MISU. Ramirez, who now has 16 goals on the season, was assisted by Chloe Melton.
Minot State managed two more shots on goal in the first half compared to Minnesota State's one, but both goaltenders kept the match locked at 1-1 heading into halftime.
The second half saw a defensive struggle as both teams combined for four shots on goal in a scoreless session. MSU freshman
Taylor Kenealy, Nickel and senior
Dana Savino each put a shot on net for the Mavericks.
After each team failed to put a shot on net in the first overtime period, both teams managed to get a shot on net in the second overtime period but neither team could break the 1-1 tie. Duccini managed to put a shot on goal at the 103:17 mark of the second overtime period, but Rafferty was there for the save. Ramirez recorded MISU's lone shot on goal in the second overtime period at 105:00, but Rabune made the save as well.
As a team, the Mavericks recorded nine shots on goal, three of which came courtesy of Nickel. The Beavers finished the game with five shots on goal, including three from Ramirez. The Mavericks also enjoyed an 8-4 edge in corner kicks.
The Mavericks wrap up their home weekend on Sunday as they host the University of Mary at 1:00 p.m.
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