MANKATO, Minn. --- #21 Minnesota State upends Wayne State 3-1 on senior day to wrap up the regular season on Sunday afternoon, at The Pitch.

The Mavericks had plenty of chances early, taking advantage of the strong wind. The first goal came when a hand ball was called in the box against the Wildcats, awarding MSU a penalty kick opportunity in the 15th minute. Senior Morgan Cottew stepped up to take the kick for the Mavericks and beat the Wildcats goalkeeper to the low, left corner gaining a 1-0 lead. This was Cottew's eighth goal of the season. The next goal came of the foot of junior Dakota Wendell to extend the lead to 2-0. Sophomore Molly Sarafolean booted a corner kick into the box that Wendell scored off a bounce in the 30th minute. The Wildcats were able to cut into the Mavericks lead before halftime when Christina Stasi connected on a shot just outside the box in the 41st minute. At the half, MSU was up 2-1 over WSC.

At halftime, head coach Brian Bahl was honored with a commemorative ball from his 100th career win at Minnesota State earlier this season. It only took coach Bahl 123 matches to reach the 100 win-plateau during his six years at the helm.

The second half was more evenly played than the first, but the Mavericks were still able to break through and regain the two goal cushion in the 61st minute. Freshman Jenny Vetter crossed the ball into the box when she found Wendell streaking down the right side of the field. Wendell connected on her second goal of the game and her 14th goal of the season to make the final score 3-1.

Overall, the Mavericks outshot the Wildcats 23-4 (13-2 on goal) with most of the damage coming in the first half when the shots were 18-1.

Junior Alexa Rabune had one save on two opportunities while her counterpart, Alyssa Bagley, had 10 saves on 13 opportunities.

Minnesota State (15-2-1, 13-1-1) earned the second seed in the 2018 NSIC Soccer Tournament this season. The quarterfinals will be on Wednesday, Oct. 31 and the Mavericks will host a quarterfinal match. Minnesota State will match up will the seventh seed in the tournament, Concordia-St. Paul, at The Pitch beginning at 3:00 p.m.

The Mavericks' seniors: Cottew, Maddy Burandt, Morgan Seemuth, Abby Hausken, Julia Zach and junior Rabune, who were honored before the match for senior day, commented after today's win.