BEMIDJI, Minn.. -- Third-seed Minnesota State defeated top-seed Bemidji State to claim the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament title with a 4-2 victory over the Beavers in a championship match played at Chet Anderson Stadium, Sunday afternoon.
The championship marks the Mavericks fifth consecutive NSIC Tournament title and ninth in program history (2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021). No other soccer program in the conference owns more postseason tournament championships than the Mavericks.
With the win, the Mavericks extend their unbeaten streak to 16 matches, which dates back to Sept. 19, and now own a 17-2-2 overall record. MSU handed BSU its first loss of the season in Sunday's affair, the Beavers now stand 18-1-2 this season.
The Mavericks began the match trailing early after Beaver forwards Allyson Smith and Sara Wendt executed a give-and-go play which resulted in Smith giving BSU the first lead in the 9th minute. The Beavers carried the 1-0 lead for roughly 30 minutes until Maverick freshman Maille Mathis took over and scored a pair of unassisted goals from 20 yards out into the top-left and right corners in the 39th and 45th minutes. As a result, MSU carried a 2-1 advantage into the halftime break. Shots stood in favor of the Mavericks 11-6 in the first half.
In the second half, Maverick freshman Sophie Eskierka scored her first collegiate goal, which proved to be the eventual game-winning goal, and gave the Mavericks a 3-1 lead in the 70th minute. After the Beavers came back within one goal with Wendt scoring in the 76th minute to make it 3-2, Maverick sophomore Allie Williams froze BSU's goalkeeper with a perfectly placed free kick in the 83rd minute to seal the deal for the Mavericks by a score of 4-2, where it ultimately stood.
Sophomore Mackenzie Rath (12-1-2) made five stops in the match while surrendering a pair of goals. Sunday's match marked Rath's first goals against dating back to a match played at Sioux Falls on Oct. 29, she had a streak of 397:27 shutout minutes leading up to BSU's first goal. On the other end, Alyssa Stumbaugh (16-1-1) made eight saves on 12 shots on goal in the match.
In total, MSU edged BSU in shots 20-19 while owning a 12-7 advantage in shots on goal. The corners battle concluded in favor of the Beavers by a one-corner margin, 4-3.
Additionally, Maille Mathis was named the NSIC Tournament's Most Valuable Player while Jenny Vetter, Allie Williams, Mackenzie Rath and Kelly Friedrich each collected All-Tournament Team honors.
The Mavericks find out what's next for them during the NCAA women's soccer selection show, which will be streamed live online, Monday, Nov. 15 at NCAA.com at 5:00 p.m.
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