What's on Tap: No. 10 Minnesota State soccer travels to Michigan to play two nonconference matches against Ferris State and No. 14 Grand Valley State on Friday at 3:00 p.m., and Sunday at 11:00 a.m., respectively
 
Looking Back at Last Week: Minnesota State (1-0-0) shut out University of Wisconsin-Parkside 2-0 in its first match of the regular season on Saturday at The Pitch.
 
The Maverick defense — led by seniors Abby Nordeen and Lexi Pszanka, and junior Abby Hausken, who played 90 minutes each — held the UW-Parkside offense to two shots on goal in the match and no shots on goal in the second half.
 
Junior forward Lauren Kizlik scored her first goal as a Maverick — the eventual game winner — in the 73rd minute. Junior forward Julia Zach scored the second Maverick goal in the 79th minute.  
 
Senior midfielder Jenny Hoerter and sophomore midfielder Julia Nellis each garnered an assist for the Mavericks.
 
Minnesota State outshot UW-Parkside 27-6, including 14-2 in shots on goal.
 
Clean Sheets: The Maverick defense has established itself as one of the most proficient in NCAA DII. Last season, the Mavericks garnered 16 shutouts and they recorded their first clean sheet of the season in their season-opening 2-0 win over UW-Parkside on Saturday. In the win over UW-Parkside, sophomore goalkeeper Ryann Rydeen tallied her seventh shutout in a Maverick uniform.
 
Offensive Pressure: The Maverick offense generated an abundance of scoring opportunities in their season-opening win over UW-Parkside. Minnesota State took 27 shots — 14 on goal. Junior forward Lauren Kizlik led all players with eight shots and she tied for the match high for shots on goal. Kizlik and junior forward Julia Zach each scored for the Mavericks.  
 
Scouting Ferris State: The Bulldogs (1-1-0) started the 2017 campaign with a 2-0 loss at No. 12 Carson Newman on Friday before rebounding to win their first match of the season 3-0 at King University on Sunday.
 
In the early going this season, junior Carley Dubbert, freshman Janelle Quinn and freshman Bri Rodgers are tied for the team lead with one goal each.                                  
 
Facing Ferris State: In 2016, the Mavericks defeated the Bulldogs 2-0 in a home match on Sept. 9. Minnesota State is 3-0-0 all-time when facing Ferris State. 
 
Scouting Grand Valley State: No. 14 Grand Valley State — the national runner-up in 2016 — has lost its first two matches of 2017. Grand Valley State lost at Bellarmine 2-1 on Saturday and 5-1 against No. 2 Columbus State in a neutral-site match played on Monday. Both matches were played at Bellarmine in Louisville, Ky.                             
 
Gabriella Mencotti has been the Lakers' biggest offensive threat so far in 2017 — leading the team in points (3) and shots (10), while tying for the team lead in goals (1) and assists (1).
 
Facing Grand Valley State: In 2016, The Mavericks lost to the Lakers 4-1 at The Pitch on Sept. 11. Minnesota State is 1-4-3 all-time against the Lakers. The Mavericks' one win was a 1-0 shutout at home on Sept. 14, 2014.    
 
Looking Ahead: The Mavericks begin Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play with matches at Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State at 1:00 p.m., on Sept. 16 and at 2:00 p.m., on Sept. 17, respectively.

Listen to head coach Brian Bahl discuss the Mavericks' upcoming matches below.