MANKATO, Minn. — No. 5 Minnesota State (5-0-0, 2-0-0) defeated Mary (1-2-2, 0-1-1) 3-0 Sunday at The Pitch. Minnesota State scored all three goals in the first half and held Mary scoreless over 90 minutes. It was a season-high three goals for Minnesota State. Mary outshot the Mavericks 18-13 but Minnesota State put nine shots on net compared to Mary's two.
"Big time performance today against a really good UMary team," said Head Coach
Brian Bahl. "We talked a lot about the importance of bringing energy and getting off to a fast start. We were much better today than we were Friday in every category and that energy and intensity makes a massive difference. We got after it today the way we always should. We created quality looks right from the start and executed our early chances and never let up. That mentality and execution changes games."
"Really proud of our entire group. We're doing a lot of good things but I'm excited because I know our best is still ahead."
Amara Smith converted her penalty attempt for an unassisted game-winning goal and led Minnesota State with four shots. This was Smith's first goal of the season.
Mila Rustin scored and put all three of her shots on goal. Rustin's goal was also her first of the season.
Teagan Jurek scored on her lone shot, marking her first goal of the season, and her collegiate career, as well.
Lauren McAlpine played all 90 minutes in goal, made two saves and recorded a fourth straight shutout.
Minnesota State struck twice in the opening four minutes, with Smith converting a penalty kick at 2:52 to open the scoring and Rustin adding a goal 40 seconds later when the Marauder goalkeeper was caught too far out of the net, for a 2-0 lead. Mary generated pressure after that, but McAlpine saved two shots during the stretch to hold the two goal lead, and Minnesota State got through it without conceding. Minnesota State pushed back midway through the half, as Rustin had a shot saved at 22:04 before Minnesota State earned corner kicks at 22:30 and 23:29 and
Maddix Archer put another shot on frame. After another Mary attacking stretch late in the half, Jurek scored from
Megan Grater at 42:05, sending Minnesota State into halftime with a strong 3-0 lead.
Minnesota State generated early second-half pressure after a Mary attempt, with Rustin forcing a save at 47:50, a corner kick following at 48:38 and Archer putting another shot on frame at 49:09. The middle of the half became stop-start while Smith had two attempts around a 59:43 corner and Mary sent shots off target from Sarah Weaver and Dina Polanco.
Alicia Hoffman tested Kadyn Dilger again at 70:48 before Mary pushed late, including three Maggie Bono shots and an Addison Massey effort off the woodwork by 84:34.
Aftyn Murray had a shot saved at 85:47, and Minnesota State held through two more Mary attempts to close out a scoreless half and a 3-0 win.
Up next, Minnesota State visits Jamestown on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at 3 p.m. at Charlotte & Gordon Hansen Stadium in Jamestown, N.D.
