MANKATO, Minn. --- #8 Minnesota State will host two top programs in #20 Central Missouri and Grand Valley State. The Mavericks will take on the Jennies on Friday at 4:00 p.m. and the Lakers on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Minnesota State will host University of Mary's matches this weekend as they take on the Jennies and Lakers. 

Facing UCM:  Heading into the 18th matchup with UMC, the Mavericks are 6-9-2 in its last 17 matchups against the Jennies. Central Missouri claimed the top seed in the MIAA last season advancing to the NCAA round of 32 with a 9-1-1 conference record and 19-2-2 overall record. In the previous match, Central Missouri took down Minnesota State in the round of 32 in the 2021 NCAA tournament by a final of 4-3.  

Scouting the Jennies: The Jennies have commanded the top seed of their conference for five consecutive years. UMC's offense is led by juniors Caroline Cole and Martin Ashleigh who combined for 89 points in 2022. Cole was one of three players last season who garnished 60 points. In goal, junior Sydney Beck served as the Jennies' wall last season getting all 23 starts while owning a .789 save percentage and an impressive 0.86 goals-against average for a 19-2-2 record.
  
Facing GVSU: This will be the Mavericks' 13th matchup against the Lakers who own a 3-6-3 in all-time head-to-head matchups. Grand Valley came into this season as the No. 8 ranked team in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll only to drop out of the top 25 as a result of its 0-1-1 start. GVSU has owned the top spot in the GLIAC for 16 out of the last 17 seasons dating back to 2005 with the only exception being the spring of 2020. In the previous match, the Mavericks defeated the Lakers by a final of 1-0 on September 4th of last year. MSU forward Jenny Vetter delivered a dagger in the 85th minute to break the scoreless tie sending MSU home with the win.    

Scouting the Lakers: GVSU finished the 2022 season with a 10-1-3 conference record and a 16-2-5 overall record. The Lakers offense is led by senior Taylor Reid who registered 15 goals and two assists for 32 points. In goal, Kendall Robertson serves as the rock in net for the Lakers starting all 23 games while owning a .817 save percentage and a 0.59 goals-against average for a 16-2-5 record.