Mankato, Minn. --- No. 2-seeded Minnesota State women's soccer, which earned a first-round bye in the 2016 NCAA DII Women's Soccer Tournament, faces the winner of No. 6-seeded Harding and No. 3-seeded Fort Hays State in the second round of the NCAA DII Central Region Tournament at 1:00 p.m., on Sunday. 

Looking Back at Last Week: No. 15 Minnesota State (16-3-2, 12-2-1 NSIC), went 3-0-0 in the 2016 NSIC Women's Soccer Tournament on its way to its fifth NSIC Tournament title. The Mavericks, who won all three matches in shutout fashion, have tallied 16 clean sheets in 2016 -- the third most in NCAA DII. 

Hausken's Haus: Sophomore defender Abby Hausken was named the 2016 NSIC Women's Soccer Tournament MVP for her role in the Mavericks' three shutout wins, including their 1-0 victory over Augustana in the championship match. In the NSIC Tournament, Hausken played all 180 minutes and recorded one assist. The Maverick defense allowed 20 shots total in the NSIC Tournament, including five shots on goal. Hausken and Minnesota State have garnered seven of their 16 shutouts at The Pitch.

Shutout Specialists: The Minnesota State defense has tallied an NSIC-leading 16 shutouts -- the third most in NCAA DII -- this season. The Mavericks' shutout total is one behind the program record of 17 -- set in 2014. Minnesota State is fourth in NCAA DII in shutout percentage (.762) and is 26th in goals against per match (.606). The Mavericks have recorded shutouts in 11 of their last 13 matches entering the NCAA Tournament.   

Wendell's Winner: Freshman forward Dakota Wendell scored the game-winning goal in the Mavericks' 1-0 win over Augustana in the NSIC Tournament championship match on Sunday in Minot, N.D. Wendell's goal -- her second of the season and Maverick career -- is her first career game-winning goal and her first career NSIC Tournament goal.

Offensive Prowess: Minnesota State led the NSIC this season in goals per match (2.38), total shots (443) and shots on goal (208). The Mavericks, who have compiled a 12-0-1 record over their last 13 matches, have outscored their opponents 32-4 over that span. 

Keeping up With Cottew: Sophomore forward Morgan Cottew leads Minnesota State in goals (15) and points (36). Cottew is tied for second in the NSIC in goals and is third in points. Her goal and point totals are tied for 16th and tied for 20th, respectively, in NCAA DII. 

New Horns: Freshman midfielder Alesha Duccini and freshman forward Taylor Kenealy have been regular contributors on the offensive side of the ball. Duccini has tallied eight goals and five assists for 21 points -- tied for the seventh-most single-season points by a freshman in Maverick history. Kenealy has garnered five goals and six assists for 16 points -- the fifth most points by a Maverick in 2016.

Goalkeeper Trifecta: Freshman Alexa Rabune (7-3-2), freshman Ryann Rydeen (6-0-0), and sophomore Taylor Livermore (3-0-0) have each seen time in goal this season. They have combined for the Mavericks' 16 shutouts this season. Rabune and Rydeen have six shutouts each -- tied for the 10th most in Maverick single-season history. 

All-Time Mavericks: Senior midfielder Kiana Nickel became the fifth student-athlete in program history to eclipse the 100 point plateau. Nickel reached the 100 point milestone in the Mavericks' 4-3 win over U-Mary on Oct. 23. In the Mavericks' 2-0 win over Upper Iowa on Oct. 30, Nickel garnered her 101st career point with her 31st career assist -- one behind the program record of 32 held by Amanda Burrows (1998-2001) and Brianne West (2009-12).

Senior midfielder Dana Savino enters the weekend ninth in Maverick history with 84 games played and 10th in minutes played (5,006). 

Sophomore forward Morgan Cottew's 15 goals and 36 points in 2016 are tied for ninth and tied for 10th in single-season Maverick history, respectively. 

Tourney Time: Minnesota State earned an automatic qualifier into the 2016 NCAA DII Women's Soccer Tournament after winning the NSIC Tournament last weekend. The Mavericks, who are making their 11th NCAA Tournament appearance, have an all-time record of 6-9-3 in NCAA Tournament play. Last season, Minnesota State reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen before falling to Central Missouri 1-0. 

Scouting Harding: The Bisons (11-6-2), who are 4-0-2 in their last six matches, earned the No. 6 seed in the NCAA DII Central Region Tournament after defeating Southwestern Oklahoma in the Great American Conference Tournament Championship in a shootout on Saturday. Harding and Southwestern Oklahoma were tied 2-2 after regulation and overtime. Harding won the shootout in eight rounds. 

Sophomore midfielder Bethany Sutherland leads the Bisons in both goals (14) and points (33). Junior forward Carley Stevens paces Harding with four game-winning goals.  

Scouting Fort Hays State: The 24th-ranked Tigers (14-4-2) earned an at-large birth into the NCAA DII Central Region Tournament after losing 4-2 to Central Oklahoma in the semifinal match of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Tournament on Friday. 

Fort Hays State has a balanced offense featuring three players with at least 15 points: Kelsey Steffens (17), Thalya Dwyer (16) and Eden Stoddard (15). Dwyer and Stoddard are tied for the team lead with seven goals each.   

Facing Harding and Fort Hays State: The Mavericks have yet to face the Bisons or the Tigers in program history.