What's on Tap: No. 10 Minnesota State soccer begins Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play with two road matches this weekend. Minnesota State faces Minnesota Duluth at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday in Duluth, Minn., and St. Cloud State at 2:00 p.m., on Sunday in St. Cloud, Minn.     
 
Looking Back at Last Week: Minnesota State (2-1-0) wrapped up nonconference play with matches at Ferris State and No. 14 Grand Valley State last weekend. The Mavericks defeated Ferris State 1-0 before falling to Grand Valley State, 2-0. 
 
Game-Winning Goal: Sophomore forward Julia Mixon scored the first game-winning goal of her collegiate career in the Mavericks' 1-0 win over Ferris State on Friday. Mixon entered the match at 38:08 of the first half and scored a little over a minute later at 39:12.  
 
Clean Sheet: Minnesota State recorded its second shutout of the season with a 1-0 win over Ferris State on Friday. In the match with Ferris State, junior goalkeeper Taylor Livermore garnered a career-high seven saves to earn her first shutout of 2017 — the fourth of her collegiate career.  
 
The Mavericks started the 2017 season by playing over 253 minutes without allowing a goal. Minnesota State surrendered its first goal to No. 14 Grand Valley State at the 73:26 mark.
 
From Start to Finish: Senior defender Abby Nordeen is the only student-athlete to have played all 270 minutes for the Mavericks in 2017.
 
NSIC: Minnesota State begins NSIC play this weekend against Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State. In 2016, the Mavericks compiled a 12-2-1 record in NSIC play to finish second during the regular season. The Mavericks then went on to win the 2016 NSIC Soccer Tournament.
 
Scouting Minnesota Duluth: The Bulldogs (3-0-0) are on a three-game winning streak, including a 3-1 win over Michigan Tech on Sunday in Houghton, Mich. Minnesota Duluth hosts St. Cloud State on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. 
 
Senior forward Skye Finley and junior midfielder Natalie St. Martin lead Minnesota Duluth with seven points each. Finley, the team captain, has recorded a team-leading three goals to go along with one assist, and St. Martin has tallied two goals and a team-best three assists.                      
 
Facing Minnesota Duluth: In their only meeting last season, the Mavericks defeated the Bulldogs 5-0 on Sept. 18 at The Pitch. Sophomore forward Taylor Kenealy tallied her first hat trick as a Maverick and junior forward Morgan Cottew also added a goal.  
 
Scouting St. Cloud State: The Huskies (2-1-0) suffered their first setback of the season with a 2-0 loss to Central Missouri on Friday in St. Cloud, Minn. St. Cloud State travels to Minnesota Duluth on Tuesday for a 6:00 p.m., match. 
                        
Junior forward Kylie Cleary leads the Huskies with three points and she is tied for the team lead in goals (1) and assists (1).
 
Facing St. Cloud State: In 2016, the Mavericks lost to St. Cloud State 2-1 on Sept. 16 at The Pitch. Junior forward Morgan Cottew scored the Mavericks' lone goal.  
 
Looking Ahead: The Mavericks continue NSIC play with a home match against Sioux Falls on Sept. 22 at 1:00 p.m., before going on the road to face Southwest Minnesota State at 1:00 p.m., on Sept. 24 in Marshall, Minn.