Mankato, Minn. --- Second-seeded Minnesota State women's soccer bested seventh-seeded Northern State 1-0 in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament Quarterfinal match on Wednesday afternoon at The Pitch. 

The Maverick (14-3-2, 12-2-1 NSIC) defense, which was led by sophomore defenders Abby Hausken and Morgan Seemuth, and junior defender Abby Nordeen -- the reigning NSIC Defensive Player of the Week -- held the Wolves (9-9-0, 7-8-0 NSIC) to six shots in the match, including three on goal.

The Minnesota State offense applied pressure in the first half -- outshooting Northern State 14-3 in the first 45:00 minutes, but the Mavericks were unable to score before the intermission. The game remained scoreless entering halftime.

The Mavericks, who improved to 9-0-1 in their last 10 matches, broke through when sophomore forward Morgan Cottew scored her team-leading 15th goal of the season -- the 24th of her career -- in the 68th minute. Cottew is 10th all-time in career goals at Minnesota State. Junior midfielder Jenny Hoerter tallied her fifth assist of the season to extend her point to streak to five matches -- the longest active point streak by a Maverick.

The defense did the rest as the Mavericks controlled possession for much of the second half, and freshman goalkeeper Alexa Rabune (7-3-2) made three saves to record her sixth shutout of 2016 -- the 10th most by a Maverick in a single season. 

Minnesota State outshot Northern State 26-6, including 7-3 in shots on goal.

Senior midfielder Kiana Nickel played her 85th career game to move into a tie with Cassie Weik (2009-12) for the seventh most games played in program history.

Stacy Cavill (7-6-0) made six saves in goal for Northern State. 

The Mavericks move on to face the winner of St. Cloud State and Bemidji State in the NSIC Tournament Semifinals on Friday. The time and location of the semifinal match has yet to be determined. 

Head Coach Brian Bahl comments following the match: