MARSHALL, Minn. —- #12 Minnesota State claimed its sixth NSIC victory of the season Friday afternoon as the Mavericks bested Southwest Minnesota State 5-1 on the road.
With the win, MSU improved to 7-1-3 on the season, including a 6-0-1 NSIC record. With the loss, SMSU dropped to 1-8-1, including a 1-4-1 conference record.
The match was scoreless through the first 30 minutes as both teams combined for fewer than five shots. Then in the 33rd minute, a Maverick corner kick was deflected by the SMSU goalkeeper Rachel Hicks to MSU sophomore
Mila Rustin. Rustin took a shot for her first marker of the year to put MSU ahead 1-0.
MSU outshot the Mustangs 9-2 in the first half, including a 4-2 advantage on goal. The Mavericks also enjoyed a 5-0 edge in corner kicks during the first half.
The offense came quickly in the second half as SMSU's Haley Mason found the back of the net in the 45th minute to tie the score at 1-1. The Mavericks responded less than seven minutes later when junior
Anna Van Wyngarden passed the ball up to junior
Avery Korsching, who notched her third goal of the season to put MSU back in front 2-1.
Brenna Hudson added her first of the fall at 74:52 and
Marin Johnson posted her third of the season at 79:08.
Lucy Weninger made the most of a penalty kick opportunity and buried it at 80:51 for the Mavericks.
Senior
Clare Longueville (6-0-2) notched her sixth win of the season as she stopped 4-of-5 shots faced. Rachel Hicks (1-6-1) took the loss with 10 saves on 15 shots on goal.
"Overall I was pleased with today's focus and effort," said head coach
Brian Bahl. "Our pressure was solid. We kept space between our lines where it needed to be and our chance creation in the attack was high quality. We just didn't capitalize on the early ones that could have separated the game earlier. After a disappointing goal against early in the second half, I was proud of our response to that adversity. Hopefully, we'll take some confidence from this one and be ready to go again on Sunday at The Pitch."
Minnesota State continues its season at home this Sunday as it hosts the Winona State Warriors. The match is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at The Pitch.
