Mankato, Minn. --- No. 13 Minnesota State Soccer handed the Concordia St. Paul their first loss in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play with a 1-0 win at The Pitch on Wednesday.

The first 20:00 of the match saw Minnesota State (7-1-0, 5-0-0 NSIC) and Concordia-St. Paul (5-2-1, 3-1-1 NSIC) take turns absorbing pressure. The Minnesota State offense ran through sophomore midfielder Alesha Duccini, senior midfielder Lexi Pszanka, and junior forward Morgan Cottew, as the Mavericks searched for an opening goal.

The Breakthrough came from junior forward Julia Zach shortly after subbing onto the field. In the 40th minute, Zach drifted in from the left side of the field and hit a powerful shot over the reach of the Golden Bear goalkeeper — finding the net at the back post. Sophomore forward Taylor Kenealy was credited with the assist on Zach's second goal of the season.

The Mavericks continued to pressure and hold their lead in the second half. The Golden Bears best scoring opportunity came in the 79th minute, but junior goalkeeper Taylor Livermore (4-0-0), jumped up and tipped a Golden Bear shot onto the roof of the net with a spectacular save that preserved the shutout. Minnesota State contained Concordia-St. Paul in the final 10:00 to hold on for the 1-0 win.

With the shutout, Minnesota State has seven shutouts on the season and has garnered cleans sheets in five consecutive matches. 
Livermore made four saves for the Mavericks.

Sophomore goalkeeper Jordyn Clark (3-1-1) made three saves for the Golden Bears.

Minnesota State outshot Concordia-St. Paul 17-4.

The Mavericks are back at The Pitch on Friday at 1:00 p.m., for a match against Minnesota Crookston.

Watch Julia Zach's postgame interview below.