MANKATO, Minn.. --- It proved to be all Minnesota State Sunday afternoon at the Pitch as the Mavericks defeated the Minot State Beavers 5-0.

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 7-1-1 on the season, including a 5-0-1 record in NSIC play. With the loss, the Beavers drop to 5-3-2, including a 3-3-1 NSIC record. This is the first time since the 2014 season that a match between the Mavericks and the Beavers has not gone to overtime.

The Mavericks wasted no time jumping out to an early 2-0 lead in the first 12 minutes of the match. Senior Morgan Cottew put the Mavericks up 1-0 as she connected on a penalty kick in the ninth minute, before senior Maddy Burandt notched her first goal of the season just two minutes later to put MSU up 2-0, with the assist going to senior Julia Zach.

In total, the Mavericks outshot the Beavers 11-7 in the first half, which included four shots on goal for MSU and three for Minot State. The Mavericks also enjoyed a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks in the first half.

Minnesota State added three more goals in the second half as they went on to shutout the Beavers 5-0. Junior Dakota Wendell notched her team-leading fifth goal of the season at the 54th minute, with assists going to Cottew and Zach. MSU's final two goals came courtesy of sophomore Danielle Tazic and Zach in the final three minutes of the game. Freshman Caitlin Brown and junior Bri Ciaccio each got an assist on the goal by Tazic, while Tazic got an assists on the goal by Zach.. 

Junior goalkeeper Alexa Rabune (7-1-1) got the win for the Mavericks as she stopped all four of Minot State's shots on goal to earn her fourth shutout of the season. Erin Rafferty (5-3-2) took the loss as she allowed two goals in 18:12 minutes. Mackenzie Long took over in net for Rafferty and allowed three goals in 71:48 minutes of playing time.

Minnesota State finished the match with 31 shots, including 15 on goal. Minot State managed just seven shots, including four on goal, all of which came in the first half. The Mavericks also took eight corner kicks to Minot State's four.

Head Coach Brian Bahl, Maddy Burandt and Julia Zach comment on the win.


Minnesota State begins a five-match road trip this Friday as it travels to Southwest Minnesota State. The match is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.