MANKATO, Minn. --- #9 Minnesota State's offense was out in full force Friday evening at The Pitch as the Mavericks bested MSU Moorhead 9-0.

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 10-1-4 on the season, including a 9-0-2 NSIC record. With the loss, the Dragons drop to 1-12-2, including a 1-9-1 conference record. The last time the Mavericks scored nine goals in a match came during the 2018 season when MSU defeated Southwest Minnesota State 9-1 on Oct. 5, 2018.

"It was a terrific performance today from our ladies," head coach Brian Bahl said. "We were focused and determined from the start, so I was really proud of them for that. We've had a point of emphasis on starting games faster and more focused and we've seen improvement in that area recently."

The first half saw the Mavericks jump out in front just three minutes into the match as sophomore Maddix Archer notched her team-leading eighth goal of the season to put the Mavericks up 1-0.

The Mavericks saw three more goal scorers add to MSU's lead as junior Addison Clarey, junior Kiera Laney and senior Jadyn Chee each found the back of the net put the Mavericks up 4-0 by halftime.

In total, the Mavericks outshot the Dragons 16-0 in the first half. The Mavericks also held a 4-0 advantage in corner kicks.

Minnesota State wasted no time in the second half as Clarey notched a pair of goals 28 seconds apart to put the Mavericks up 6-0 with 39:52 to go in the match. With her three goals, Clarey became the first Maverick to record a hat trick since Jenny Vetter did so back on Oct. 8, 2021 when she scored four goals against Upper Iowa.

The Mavericks were not done scoring though as Chee notched her second goal of the match with 19:50 to go, before junior Maille Mathis and freshman Amara Smith both notched their first goals of the season in the final seven minutes of the match to bring the final score to 9-0 in favor of the Mavericks.

"Our execution in the final third was also much better today," Bahl said. We were hungry to find opportunities and attacked them with a sense of urgency. That was exciting to see."

Senior Clare Longueville (9-0-3) and freshman Lauren McAlpine combined for MSU's 11th shutout of the season. McAlpine made six saves for the Mavericks. Rylee Truslow (0-3-1) took the loss as she allowed nine goals while making 12 saves.

In total, the Mavericks outshot the Dragons 35-7, including a 21-6 advantage in shots on goal. The Mavericks also enjoyed an 8-0 edge in corner kicks.

"I like the direction we are heading," Bahl said. "We just need to keep our standards high and remain focused on getting better each day as a group.

Minnesota State wraps up its regular season home schedule on Sunday as it hosts the Northern State Wolves. The match is scheduled for 1 p.m. at The Pitch.