Winona, Minn. --- #3 Minnesota State started 1-0 in conference play with a sound 3-0 victory over Winona State on Friday night.
Another shutout win for the Mavericks means that is four straight to begin the season and it is the first time since the 2014 season that MSU has started out 4-0.
Minnesota State jumped out to an early lead and was up 2-0 at halftime. Sophomore Brynn Desens scored her third goal of the season in the fourth minute of the match off the assist of senior Dakota Wendell. After receiving the ball, Desens' initial shot was saved by the Warriors' goalkeeper but the rebound came straight back to Desens to put it in the back of the net. The Mavericks extended their lead in the 27th minute on senior Alesha Duccini's first goal of the season. Sophomore Nadia Lowery assisted Duccini on the goal as the shot was buried in the low right corner of the goal.
MSU scored its final goal of the match in the 83rd minute as the Wendell and Desens tandem hooked up again. This time it was Wendell scoring her second goal of the season with Desens collecting the assist. The Mavericks kept the Warriors in check the rest of the way to claim the victory.
Senior Alexa Rabune (4-0-0) turned in another shutout performance making all five saves in the match. The Mavericks outshot the Warriors by a 33-8 (19-5 on net) margin, while also having a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.
Minnesota State (4-0-0, 1-0-0 NSIC) will finish the weekend road trip as it travels to Fayette, Iowa to play Upper Iowa on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
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