What's on Tap: The No. 3 Minnesota State soccer team will hit the road for its first two NSIC matches of the season. The Mavericks will face Winona State on Friday at 6:00 p.m., in Winona, Minn., and then travel to Fayette, Iowa to play Upper Iowa at 1:00 p.m., on Sunday.

Looking Back at Last Week: The Mavericks improved their record to 3-0 with a pair of top five victories against #4 Central Missouri (won 2-0) and #1 Grand Valley State (won 1-0) in Mankato, Minn., at The Pitch.
 
In the first game against the Jennies, the Mavericks scored a goal in each half to take to 2-0 win. Freshman Tia Martin netted her first career goal as a Maverick just before halftime and sophomore Brynn Desens scored her second goal on the season in the 52nd minute. Senior Alesha Duccini and junior Molly Riley both collected an assist as well.

The lone goal against the Lakers came in the 85th minute when sophomore Jenny Vetter received a beautiful through ball from senior Dakota Wendell in the middle of the field, split the last two defenders and beat the goalie one-on-one for her third goal of the season.

Senior Alexa Rabune (3-0) has yet to allow a goal this season by picking up her second and third shutouts so far. Rabune made four saves against UCM and then eight against GVSU for a total of 12 on the weekend. Her 21 total shutouts for her career is now second all-time at Minnesota State.

NSIC Goaltender of the Week: Alexa Rabune earned NSIC Goaltender of the Week after collecting two shutouts against then-No. 4 Central Missouri and then-No. 1 Grand Valley State last weekend. Rabune recorded four saves against UCM and eight saves against GVSU for a total of 12 on the weekend to improve her record to 3-0 on the season. Rabune has yet to allow a goal this season, recording three straight shutouts, and has moved into second all-time in career shutouts at Minnesota State. Rabune is also third in wins (29) all-time and sixth in saves (149).

National Polls: Minnesota State has been in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll in both releases (preseason and first edition) before this week at No. 25. After defeating the No. 4 and No. 1 teams in the nation, The Mavericks saw a 22 spot jump in the poll all the way to No. 3. This is the highest MSU has been in the national polls since the Nov. 3 NSCAA release in 2015.

Scouting Winona State: Winona State has started off the 2019 season 1-2 with  a 3-2 road victory over Northern Michigan and most recently a 2-1 loss to Wisconsin-Parkside on Tuesday. 

Sophomore Georgette Topalis so far leads the Warriors in goals scored with two and in points as well with four. Sophomore Yanel Ortiz returns as the main goaltender from last season and has made all three starts so far this season. Ortiz sits with a 1-2 record with a 1.67 goals-against average, .667 save percentage and 12 saves. 

Facing Winona State: The Mavericks have a 14-14-1 record against the Warriors. MSU won their meeting last season in Mankato, Minn., 3-1 over WSU. 

Scouting Upper Iowa: Upper Iowa has started off the 2019 season 0-2-1, with the lone tie coming against William Jewell on Sept. 8.                            

Freshman Aimee Kemper has scored the lone goal for the Peacocks this season in the 1-1 tie with William Jewell. Sophomore Natilie Rudrud is 0-2-1 so far this season, but has a respectable 1.24 goals-against average, .852 save percentage with 23 saves so far.

Facing Upper Iowa: The Mavericks have a 10-1-2 record against the Peacocks. MSU won the match-up last season at The Pitch 4-0 over UIU.

Looking Ahead: The Mavericks will host their first pair of NSIC home matches against Minnesota Duluth on Sept. 27 at 3:00 p.m., and St. Cloud State on Sept. 29 at 1:00 p.m., with both matches being held at The Pitch.