Mankato, Minn.--- No. 3 Minnesota State defeated Northwest Missouri State in the shootout (3)-(1) advancing to the NCAA second round.
Minnesota State battled the elements in the first half as they could barely piece together a scoring drive resulting in only three shots compared to NWM's eight shots. The Bearcats played to their advantage getting on the board first at the 35'mark of the first half. Bearcats'
Caroline Sanders knocked her shot off the post which ricochet off the
Mackenize Rath's back and in.
The Mavericks were faced with a rare deficit having only trailed in two previous matches this season. The Mavericks showed their most aggressive approach all season as they brought their defensive line 10 yards into the attacking zone.
Similar to Northwest Missouri, Minnesota State used the elements to its advantage outshooting its opponent 25-4 while racking up 9 corner kicks in the second half. The Mavericks finally broke through the Bearcats defense with
Nadia Lowery hammering home the Mavericks' only goal of the game.
Heading into overtime, neither team could gather enough momentum to finish off the match leading to the Mavericks second shootout in two weeks. The Mavericks came out victorious with a 3-1 score thanks to terrific play from
Ava Blackney who was an emergency sub for
Mackenzie Rath.
The Mavericks advance to the next round in Bemidji on Sunday and will look to face the winner of the (2) Bemidji v (7) Central Oklahoma match.
