What's on Tap: No. 17 Minnesota State soccer team begins its conference regular season with a weekend of home games starting with Winona State University at The Pitch on Friday, Sept. 14th at 3:00 p.m. The second game of the weekend will be against Upper Iowa University at The Pitch on Sunday, Sept. 16th at 1:00 p.m. 

Looking Back at Last Week: The Mavericks (2-1-0) went 1-1 last week in their final two nonconference games defeating Florida Tech 3-2 on Wednesday and falling to  No. 1 Central Missouri 1-0 Sunday.

Game-Winning Goal: Sophomore forward Molly Sarafolean scored her first game-winning goal of her collegiate career in the 3-2 win over Florida Tech on Wednesday. She scored the goal in the 89th minute of the match.

Also scoring for the Mavericks last week were senior forward Julia Zach and senior defender Abby Hausken against FIT. Zach's goal brings her season point total to six, which leads the team.

Senior forward Morgan Cottew and junior midfielder Alesha Duccini tallied assists in the FIT game as well.

Junior goalkeeper Alexa Rabune was in the net all 180 minutes for the Mavericks this week. She kept MSU in the game against No. 1 UCM by making a career high eight saves on a career high shots seen at 21.

NSIC: The Mavericks being NSIC play this weekend at home against Winona State and Upper Iowa. In 2017, Minnesota State compiled a 13-1-1 NSIC record placing first during the regular season and winning the 2017 NSIC Soccer Tournament. 

Scouting Winona State: Winona State is 1-1 so far in the early 2018 season. Beginning NSIC play last week, the Warriors defeated Upper Iowa 2-0 on Thursday in Fayette, Iowa.  On Sunday, WSU played their final nonconference matchup against Michigan Tech falling 2-1 in Winona, Minn.                      

Sophomore forward Georgette Topalis, sophomore midfielder Melissa Greco and junior forward Courtney Wiencek all are leading the way in Warriors scoring with one goal in two games. Senior goalkeeper Jourdan Valkner has played all 180 minutes in the net for the Warriors, owning a 1.00 goals against average, picking up eight saves and one shutout in the first two games. 

Facing Winona State: In the only matchup last year, Minnesota State defeated Winona State 4-0 on Oct. 29th at the Pitch. The win meant that the Mavericks clinched 1st place in the NSIC regular season. All-time, the Mavericks have a record of 13-14-1 against the Warriors. Duccini scored a goal in the contest along with Marisa Berutti, Lauren Kizlik, and Lexi Pszanka who have all graduated.

Scouting Upper Iowa: Upper Iowa is 1-3 in the 2018 season and went 0-2 last week. The Peacocks only win come on Aug. 30th, defeating Fort Hays State 1-0 in Fayette, Iowa. UIU lost their conference opener to Winona State 2-0 on Thursday In Fayette, Iowa.

Junior midfielder Hannah Dotter and freshman forward Haley Ramberg are both leading the Peacocks in goals with one each in 2018. Natalie Rudrud has been in goal all four games for Upper Iowa making 32 saves, garnering a 1.20 goals against average and posting one shutout on the season.
 
Facing Upper Iowa: The Mavericks pulled out a 2-1 win in the matchup from last season on Oct. 27th in Fayette, Iowa. Senior midfielder Maddy Burandt scored the game-winning goal for Minnesota State in the 82nd minute to defeat Upper Iowa. The Mavericks record all-time against the Peacocks is 9-1-2.

Looking Ahead: The Mavericks continue their conference schedule with  road matches against Minnesota Duluth on Sept. 21st at 7:00 p.m., in Duluth, Minn. and St. Cloud State on Sept. 23rd at 1:00 p.m., in St. Cloud, Minn.