BISMARCK, N.D. – Goalkeeper Lauren McAlpine kept a clean sheet for a fourth straight game to start the season as No. 3 Minnesota State soccer defeated the University of Mary 2-0 in NSIC play Friday afternoon in Bismarck, N.D.
 
Marin Johnson tallied her second game-winning goal in as many games, and Courtney Kovacs put away a rebound for her first goal of the year as the Mavericks improved to 3-0-1 overall (1-0 NSIC). UMary fell to 2-2-0 (0-1-0 NSIC).
 
The Mavericks continue their road trip with a stop at Minot State on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m.
 
Johnson's marker came 25:19 into the opening half. Anna Van Wyngarden intercepted a pass near midfield and threaded a through ball to Johnson, who timed her run and snuck a low shot past goalkeeper Wiktoria Slupianek.
 
Kovacs added to the lead at 52:31. Slupianek got a hand on a long try by Maddix Archer. The ball clanged off the crossbar and Kovacs kicked the rebound to the top right side for a 2-0 Maverick advantage.

"Its always a challenge to go on the road in the NSIC," said head coach Brian Bahl. "I was really proud of the focus and mindset our ladies had today. Our first half wasn't quite as strong as we would have liked but we challenged each other at halftime to be better and we executed the little details in the second. I felt we were solid defensively throughout and our chance creation in the attack was much improved, especially in the second half. We also improved our first and second ball wins and created some really significant and quality moments off of those wins."
 
Kovacs led MSU with three shot attempts. McAlpine finished with four saves. The Mavericks led 7-1 in corners.