Minnesota State University Reporter

Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: Womens Sports

Media Credit: Raymond Starin Lauren Butters and the MSU soccer team host Southwest Minnesota State Friday at The Pitch at Gage Towers. The Mavericks are undefeated in the NSIC this season, with five wins and one tie.

As far as the statistics show, the Minnesota State soccer team should have no problem with Southwest Minnesota State Friday.

The No. 16 Mavericks play the Mustangs at 3 p.m. Friday at The Pitch at Gage Towers in their first meeting since 2003 when MSU won 6-0.

Friday, the Mavericks' stout defense faces a SMSU attack that lacks offensive punch. Through 10 games, the Mustangs have scored only six goals - the lowest total in the Northern Sun - and average a conference-low .6 goals per game.

It won't get easier for SMSU as it goes against an MSU team that averages .8 goals allowed per game through 10 games.

That's not much of a test for an MSU defense that has given up only eight goals this season, .8 per game.

But to MSU coach Peter McGahey, those are only statistics.

"This is the first time I've looked at those numbers," McGahey said. "Going out and playing Mavericks soccer regardless of the opponent gives us confidence going into Friday."

According to McGahey, the Mavericks (7-1-2, 5-0-1 NSIC) have been improving a little each game and that's what the team is focused on instead of its winning streak.

"The team continues to get more comfortable and gain a better control of the game," McGahey said.

The Mavericks have won five straight games dating back to Sept. 21. MSU went unbeaten (6-0-2) through the month of September.

An important factor in MSU's recent success is Laura Leber busting out for five goals and two assists in the past five games.

Leber was the 2007 North Central Conference leader in points and goals.

Kelly Fitzgerald leads the Mustangs with seven points and has half of SMSU's goals with three. Courtney McCarthy has two goals this season.

The lack of offense isn't the only thing that's contributing to SMSU's losing record (1-9, 1-5). The Mustangs have given up 25 goals this season (2.5 per game, a goals against average that ranks 12th in the NSIC).

Rankings

MSU jumped two spots in the NCAA Division II NSCAA/Adidas rankings from No. 18 to 16 Tuesday. The Mavericks began the season ranked No. 7 but fell out of the top 10 after a loss to Regis (Colo.).

MSU was ranked as high as fourth a season ago.

The Mavericks remain third in the region behind No. 12 Metro State (Colo.) and No. 3 Winona State. MSU beat the Roadrunners in the season opener on Sept. 28 and square off against the Warriors Oct. 26 in Winona.

The top two teams in the region receive a first-round bye and are guaranteed home field advantage in the second round.


Tyler Buckentine is the Reporter managing editor

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