What's on Tap: No. 19 Minnesota State soccer begins its regular season against University of Wisconsin-Parkside at The Pitch on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
 
Looking Back at Last Week: The Mavericks won two exhibition matches last week against NCAA DIII institutions. Minnesota State defeated St. Catherine 3-0 on Wednesday and Gustavus Adolphus 3-0 on Friday. Both matches were held at The Pitch. 
 
Minnesota State, which outshot St. Catherine and Gustavus Adolphus a combined 48-8 (24-4 in shots on goal), were led in scoring by junior forward Morgan Cottew, who tallied two goals on the week. Sophomore forward Taylor Kenealy, junior forward Lauren Kizlik, senior midfielder Jenny Hoerter and freshman forward Molly Sarafolean each scored once last week. 
 
Sophomore Ryann Rydeen, junior Taylor Livermore and sophomore Alexa Rabune each saw time in net for the Mavericks.
 
Scouting UW-Parkside: UW-Parkside, which finished 2016 with a 10-6-2 (10-4-1 Great Lakes Valley Conference), reached the opening round of the GLVC Tournament where it lost 3-1 to University of Missouri-St. Louis.                              
 
Junior forward Lexi Porter returns as the Rangers' leading scorer from last season. She led the team in both goals (7) and points (15). Porter also tied for the team lead with two game-winning goals.
 
Facing UW-Parkside: In 2016, the Mavericks traveled to Somers, Wis., where they played the Rangers to a 0-0 draw on Sept. 4. Minnesota State is 1-1-2 all-time against UW-Parkside. 
 
Looking Ahead: The Mavericks wrap up their nonconference schedule with matches at Ferris State and No. 2 Grand Valley State on Sept. 8 at 3:00 p.m., and Sept. 10 at 11:00 a.m., respectively.

Listen to Minnesota State soccer head coach Brian Bahl discuss the Mavericks' upcoming match below.