MANKATO, Minn.--- The Minnesota State soccer team continues its conference regular season with the next five matches being on the road. The first two matches on the road start this week with Southwest Minnesota State on Friday at 3:00 p.m., in Marshall, Minn. The second match of the weekend will be against Sioux Falls on Sunday at 1:00 p.m., in Sioux Falls, S.D. 

Our History: The 2018 season marks the school's 24th season playing women's soccer. The Mavericks are 320-118-36 (.713) in 474 games since their inception as a varsity sport in 1995. Minnesota State is in its 10th season in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and owns a 123-14-11 (.868) record in 148 games during conference play. Over the course of history, MSU has claimed 10 regular season conference championships, including five NCC championships and five NSIC championships. The Mavericks have also won six NSIC Tournament championships in the 10 years of being in the conference. Minnesota State made its 11th appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season. The Mavericks own a 7-8-4 overall record in NCAA postseason play, wining twice on shootout occasions and losing three times.

Looking Back at Last Week: The Mavericks (7-1-1, 5-0-1 NSIC) went 2-0 last week in their two homecoming conference games defeating the University of Mary 2-1 in overtime on Friday and Minot State 5-0 on Sunday.

Five Goals: The five goals the Mavericks scored in the win over the Beavers are the most goals in a game they have scored this season. Senior Morgan Cottew (3) and junior Dakota Wendell (5) both scored in each game this past weekend while adding an assist for five points on the week. Both of Cottew's goals were game winners including one in overtime to defeat U-Mary and Wendell had the assist. Wendell's five goals on the season are leading the team.

Senior Julia Zach had a big game against Minot State with one goal and two assists for four points. Zach is leading the team in assists (4) and tied with Wendell in points (12). Sophomore Danielle Tazic also had a career game off the bench by scoring her first goal of the season and adding an assist for a career high three points in a game.

Senior Maddy Burandt picked up her first goal of the season in the win against Minot State. Senior Abby Hausken (2), junior Bri Ciaccio and freshman Caitlin Brown also chipped in with assists this weekend. This was Ciaccio's and Brown's first assist and point of the season and Brown's first of her career.

Junior Alexa Rabune was in the net all 186 minutes for the Mavericks this week. Rabune picked up her fourth shutout of the season with the win over Minot State and only allowed one goal in an overtime win over U-Mary. That brings her season goals-against average to 0.65, which is a career best.

NSIC Defensive Player of the Week: Hausken was named Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this year and the third time in her career. Hausken helped lead the defense by playing all 186 minutes in last weeks matches and only allowing one goal on 12 total shots (five on goal). Hausken has started all nine of MSU's matches and has played 805 out of a possible 836 minutes this season. She also collected her second assist of the season.

Scouting Southwest Minnesota State: Southwest Minnesota State (3-6-0, 3-4-0 NSIC) went 1-1 last week on the road defeating Minnesota Crookston 4-1 on Friday and losing to Bemidji State 4-0 on Sunday. The Mustangs are 2-0 at home this season, searching for their first win on homecoming weekend. All-time, MSU is 17-1-1 against SMSU, winning the last four matches.

Freshman Abbey Hoisington is leading the Mustang offense with five goals and an assist for 11 points. Junior Jessica Craigmile has started six out of the nine matches in net, owning a 2.29 goals against average, picking up 47 saves and two wins on the year. 

Facing Southwest Minnesota State: Last season, Minnesota State won the only matchup with Southwest Minnesota State 5-0 in Marshall, Minn., on Sept. 24. Sophomores Molly Sarafolean and Zoe Wright, Burandt and recently graduated Lauren Kizlik and Lexi Pszanka each scored a goal.

Scouting Sioux Falls: Sioux Falls (4-6-0, 3-6-0 NSIC) went 1-1 last week losing to Bemidji State 1-0 on Friday and defeating Minnesota Crookston 1-0 on Sunday. The Cougars are 3-2 at home this season, with their last win coming against Northern State on Sept. 23rd. All-time, MSU is 8-0-0 against USF winning all eight matches.

Sophomore Lindsey Power is leading the Cougars in points with seven while tallying two goals and three assists. Junior Brayden Paul has played all 900 minutes in net for Sioux Falls making 56 saves, garnering a 1.90 goals against average and posting two shutouts on the season.
 
Facing Sioux Falls: The Mavericks won a nonconference matchup earlier this season 4-0 over the Cougars. Wendell scored two goals with Zach and freshman Brynn Desens each scoring a goal as well for MSU.

Looking Ahead: The Mavericks continue their five match road  conference stretch with three matches next week. On Tuesday, Oct. 9th, Minnesota State travels to the twin cities to take on Concordia-St. Paul in St. Paul, Minn., at 7:00 p.m. On Friday Oct. 12th, the Mavericks travel to Crookston, Minn., to face Minnesota Crookston at 3:00 p.m. MSU will finish up the road trip in Bemidji, Minn., taking on current NSIC leader No. 6 Bemidji State at 1:00 p.m.