Sioux Falls, S.D. --- Minnesota State women's soccer defeated Sioux Falls 4-0  in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference match on Friday evening. 

After the Mavericks (3-2-1, 2-1-0 NSIC) and the Cougars (1-5-1, 1-3-0 NSIC) played a scoreless first half, freshman Alesha Duccini, sophomore Morgan Cottew, and junior Jenny Hoerter combined to score four-second half goals.    

The Mavericks attacked early and often in the first half -- outshooting the Cougars 18-1, including a 7-1 shot on goal advantage. Minnesota State took six corner kicks in the first period compared to one for Sioux Falls. However, MSU was unable to score a goal and the game remained tied 0-0 going into halftime. 

The Maverick offense, which continued applying pressure in the second half, gave Minnesota State a 1-0 lead in the 49th minute when Duccini scored the eventual game-winning goal -- her first of two goals in the match. Senior Dana Savino recorded her first assist of the season -- the 11th of her career -- on the play. Less than half an hour later, Duccini struck again in the 78th minute for her third goal of the season to increase the Maverick lead to 2-0.

Immediately following Duccini's goal, Cottew made the score 3-0 when she tallied her fourth goal of the season -- tied for the team lead with freshman Taylor Kenealy -- in the 79th minute. Senior Kiana Nickel garnered her team-best third assist of the season on the play.

Under 3:00 later, Hoerter garnered the final goal of the match -- her first of the season -- in the 81st minute. She headed a pass from freshman Dakota Wendell past the goalkeeper to put the Mavericks up 4-0. Wendell earned the first assist and point of her Maverick career on the play.

Making her first start in goal for the Mavericks, freshman Ryann Rydeen (1-0-0) stopped all three shots she faced. 

Minnesota State outshot Sioux Falls 41-5 in the match, including a 14-3 shot on goal advantage. 

The Mavericks return home to face Southwest Minnesota State at The Pitch on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.