KANSAS CITY, Mo. --- No. 9 Minnesota State (1-0-1) held off No. 16 Emporia State (0-0-2) resulting in a scoreless draw Sunday at Bourke Field.

Minnesota State managed to slow down ESU's star forward Mackenzie Dimarco stalling the Hornets' offensive productivity. Senior Mackenzie Rath and junior Clare Longueville platooned today's match combining for six saves and a shutout.

Senior Libby Spangler anchored the Mavericks' defensive core playing all 90 minutes for the 30th time in her career. The Mavericks' defensive leader now owns 4,152 career minutes in the purple and gold.

Head coach Brian Bahl after the game: "I'm extremely proud of our ladies for a really solid opening weekend. Two high-quality opponents, including a trip on the road for today's game. Today's game presented a really tough early-season challenge, lots of adversity, and an NCAA Sweet 16 team with a multi-time All-American to deal with. To shut them out and create the chances we did is very encouraging.

We competed at a really high level today…executed who we wanted to be and were good enough to win the game, just couldn't get one to find the back of the net.

I'm excited about where our team is though already this early in the season. We've grown a lot already and it's a very tight-knit, positive-together group that's committed to continuing to get better. Our depth will keep growing and that will add a lot to who we are as well.

We're looking forward to two more very challenging games next weekend!"

Minnesota State is back in action at The Pitch on Friday hosting No. 13 Central Missouri.