Maverick soccer records 11-straight shutouts
Minnesota State is hot at the right time, with four regular season games remaining
The No. 13-ranked Minnesota State University Mavericks continue to roll as they defeated Northern State University and Minnesota State University-Moorhead over the past weekend. MNSU has not allowed a single goal over their last 11 games.
Their last goal given up was against the number-three team in the nation, Grand Valley State, on Sept. 10. Let’s catch up on what took place over the past weekend.
The Mavericks first match came against Northern State University who came into the game with a record of 4-7-1.
Senior Abby Nordeen put the Mavs on the scoreboard first, heading home a corner kick in the 11th minute to give Minnesota State the early 1-0 lead.
The Mavericks went on crush the Wolves’ hopes in the first half, scoring two goals within a minute of each other. Freshman Molly Sarafolean gave sophomore Taylor Kenealy a beautiful pass and Kenealy capitalized, finding the back of the net to push the count to 2-0. Sarafolean was awarded with a goal of her own just a minute later, finishing from a couple feet out in the 31st minute to give the Mavericks a 3-0 lead and a good feeling going into halftime.
Shortly after the half, Jenny Hoerter extended the Maverick lead. On a pass from teammate Anna Mixon, Hoerter was able to finish off the play and score the ball as this goal ended up being the end of the scoring for the game as it ended 4-0.
Minnesota State outshot the Wolves from Northern State 13-2 and dominated in every facet of the game.
The next day MNSU took on Minnesota State-Moorhead, who came into the match with a record of 1-8-3.
This battle was a defensive one in the early stages, as the Mavericks failed to score until the 30th minute when junior Julia Zach sent a pass to fellow Maverick Lauren Kizlik who capitalized and scored her fourth goal of the season. This was the only action of the first half as the teams went into halftime with a score of 1-0 favoring the Mavericks.
The Mavericks dominated the second half, scoring a couple goals and playing stout defense. They extended the lead in the 63rd minute when forward Dakota Wendell kicked the ball to teammate Molly Riley. Riley made a few moves and found pay dirt making the score 2-0.
In the 83rd minute, MNSU extended their lead and delivered the dagger as Julia Zach scored her fourth goal of the season.
The game ended 3-0 and the Mavericks held a 25-1 advantage in shots on goal.
Goalkeeper Taylor Livermore recorded her seventh shutout of the season and Minnesota State continued to dominate on the defensive end as they extended their program record shutout streak to 11 matches.
The Mavericks have four matches left before postseason play. This weekend they hit the road to North Dakota as they take on University of Mary on Saturday and Minot State on Sunday. They close the regular season with games against Upper Iowa on Oct. 27 and Winona State on senior day, which will take place on Oct. 29.