MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State Mavericks (17-1-6, 11-0-3 NSIC) are set to host No. 19 Grand Valley State (15-1-7, 8-1-5 GLIAC) in the NCAA Elite Eight on Saturday, December 7th, at 12 p.m. at The Pitch. With a trip to the NCAA Final Four on the line, the stakes are higher than ever as the Mavericks aim to make program history with their first trip to the National Semifinals.

Recap of Last Weekend:
Minnesota State advanced to the Elite Eight with a dramatic double-overtime victory against Central Missouri in the third round of the NCAA Tournament in Warrensburg, Missouri. The game-winning moment came in the 105th minute, as Avery Korsching found the back of the net with a perfectly placed shot into the top left corner.

Facing the Lakers:
The Mavericks will face a familiar opponent in Grand Valley State, who edged them 1-0 during their last meeting in 2023. The Mavericks have qualified for the National Quarterfinals twice in program history and both times they drew the Lakers. Most recently, the Lakers defeated MSU 5-2 in 2019 (Mankato, Minnesota). GVSU also won in 2012. After a 1-1 tie in overtime, the Lakers won a penalty kick shootout 5-4 to advance.

Scouting Grand Valley State:
The Lakers are coming off a dominant 2-0 win against Drury in the Midwest Regional Championship. Senior Ryann Fetty leads the team's offense with four goals and four assists this season, while junior goalkeeper Cailynn Junk anchors a stout defense with a .901 save percentage and a 0.38 goals-against average.

For the Mavericks:
Minnesota State boasts the top defense in Division II, with just five goals allowed to opponents in 24 games for a 0.205 goals against average. GVSU ranks fourth in the nation in the same category (0.344). The Minnesota State record for fewest goals surrendered in a season was eight, set in 2014. That team finished the year 22-1 overall but fell to Central Missouri in the NCAA Central Region Championship.

On defense is NSIC Defensive Player of the Year and graduate student Lucy Weninger (Ames, Iowa). Weninger has started all 24 games and is averaging 85 minutes per game. She has one goal and one assist for three points. Sophomore forward Maddix Archer (Brookings, S.D.) leads the Mavericks with nine goals and eight assists.

Junior forward Addison Clarey also reached the 20-point threshold with eight goals and four assists. Junior midfielder Maille Mathis (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) scored both game-winning goals for the Mavericks in the NCAA Central Region Tournament. She is a reliable and explosive option for coach Bahl off the bench. Twenty-two players saw minutes against Central Missouri last week.

Goalkeeper Clare Longueville made five saves in the Region Championship, including one in overtime. Longueville ranks second in Division II goals against average (0.182), third in shutouts (13) and first in save percentage (.946).

What's Ahead:
If Minnesota State secures a victory on Saturday, they will advance to the NCAA Final Four for the first time in program history. The semifinals will be held in Matthews, North Carolina, on Friday, December 13th.

Fans can catch all the action live on the NSIC Network as the Mavericks look to extend their historic season.