What's on Tap: No. 11 Minnesota State soccer continues Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play with two matches this week. Minnesota State goes on the road to face Wayne State on Friday at 2:00 p.m., in Wayne Neb., before returning home to face Augustana at 1:00 p.m., on Sunday at The Pitch. 
 
Looking Back at Last Week: Minnesota State (8-1-1, 6-0-1 NSIC) remained undefeated in NSIC play by going 2-0-1 in three home matches last week. The Mavericks defeated Concordia-St. Paul 1-0 on Wednesday and Minnesota Crookston 4-0 on Friday, before playing Bemidji State to a scoreless draw on Sunday.
 
NSIC Player of the Week: Junior defender Morgan Seemuth was named NSIC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season — the third time in her collegiate career — after playing 265 minutes as Minnesota State recorded three shutouts last week. She helped lead a defense that held Concordia-St. Paul, Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State to 12 shots combined, including seven shots on goal. Seemuth garnered her second assist of the season in Minnesota State's 4-0 win over Minnesota Crookston on Friday.
 
One of the Best Defensive Teams in NCAA DII: With its three shutouts last week, the Mavericks have recorded shutouts in nine out of their 10 matches this season. Minnesota State ranks fourth in save percentage (.939), fourth in goals against average (.195) and second in shutout percentage (.900) in NCAA DII. The Mavericks are outshooting the opposition 260-72 on the season, including a 114-33 edge in shots on goal. In addition, Minnesota State has yet to allow a goal in NSIC play.   
 
Leading Scorers: Junior forward Lauren Kizlik leads Minnesota State with three goals this season. Junior forward Julia Zach, senior midfielder Jenny Hoerter, junior forward Morgan Cottew, senior midfielder Lexi Pszanka and sophomore forward Julia Mixon have each scored two goals. 
  
In Goal: Last week, junior goalkeeper Taylor Livermore (4-0-0) earned her fourth shutout of the season against Concordia-St. Paul. Sophomore goalkeeper Ryann Rydeen (4-0-1) recorded shutouts against Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State. Rydeen ranks first in program history in save percentage (.931) and goals against average (0.17). She also ranks sixth with 11 shutouts.   
 
NSIC: Minnesota State is 6-0-1 in seven NSIC matches this season. The Mavericks, who have yet to allow a goal in NSIC play, enter the week in a three-way tie with Bemidji State and Augustana atop the conference standings. Each team has 19 points.
 
Scouting Wayne State: The Wildcats (3-3-4, 2-2-3 NSIC), who are tied for ninth in the NSIC with nine points, are coming off a 1-0-1 week. In a pair of road matches, Wayne State defeated MSU Moorhead 1-0 on Friday and tied Northern State 1-1 on Sunday.
 
Junior forward Christina Stasi leads the Wildcats in goals (3) and points (7) on the season.
 
In 2016, Minnesota State shut out Wayne State 4-0 on Oct. 7 at The Pitch. Sophomore midfielder Alesha Duccini, sophomore forward Julia Mixon and junior forward Morgan Cottew each scored in the victory. Cottew also recorded two assists for a match-high four points.
 
Scouting Augustana: The Vikings (7-1-2, 6-0-1 NSIC) enter the week in a three-way tie with Minnesota State and Bemidji State atop the NSIC standings. Last week, Augustana recorded a pair of 1-0 road wins over Northern State on Friday and MSU Moorhead on Sunday.
 
Senior forward Samantha Tymkowicz, who garnered an assists in the win over MSU Moorhead, leads the Vikings in goals (3) and points (8) in 2017. 
 
Last season, the Mavericks defeated the Vikings 4-0 in Sioux Falls, S.D. The two teams also met in the NSIC Tournament finals, with the Mavericks prevailing 1-0 on Nov. 6 in Minot, N.D. In the NSIC Tournament match, sophomore forward Dakota Wendell scored the game-winning goal for the Mavericks.   
 
Looking Ahead: The Mavericks continue NSIC play with two home matches. Minnesota State faces Northern State on Oct. 14 and MSU Moorhead on Oct. 15.