No. 15 BSU leaves The Pitch winless, Mavs dominate Eagles

The Minnesota State Mavericks played their NSIC home opener last weekend when they took on No. 15 Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston. 

MSU went into the weekend with a 3-2-0 (1-1-0 NSIC) record with a chance to prove themselves against one of the top teams in the nation in Division II soccer.

In a very close matchup, the Mavericks were the first to strike just 15 minutes into the game with Jenny Vetter’s third goal of the year from a phenomenal pass at midfield from Olivia Thoen. Vetter was able to beat out the defender and slip it right under the goalkeeper in a sliding attempt to deny Vetter’s goal.

Bemidji tallied their first of the game in minute 43 when Maria Stocke of Bemidji took a shot at the goal to create an opportunity for the Beavers, but a muffed save from Mackenzie Rath tied the game at one for BSU.

In the second half, the Mavericks were able to regain the lead after a nice one-timer from Vetter to Claire Cater right in front of the net, making it a 2-1 game.

Not too long after, Bemidji tied the game at two with a shot from just outside the penalty area by Erin Becker.

The game would stay tied at two through the end of regulation, the end of the first overtime, and the end of the final overtime. Both teams took their first tie of the season, in a game that could have gone either way.

Minnesota State went into Sunday with a much more optimistic outlook on their opponent, Minnesota Crookston.

Crookston came into Mankato with a 1-5-0 record, with their only win coming against the winless MSU Moorhead.

UMC has been outscored 21-2 through six games in the 2021 season, giving high hopes for the Mavericks. 

Despite a slow and scoreless start to the game, the Mavericks got right into it when Shelby Lund and Maille Mathis got it started for MSU with Lund’s long shot from the side of the penalty area, and buried in by Mathis after a bobbled save from Crookston’s goalkeeper.

From there, Cater and Ashlyn Watt connected for the second goal of the game at 48:25.

Just 10 minutes later, Cater scored her second goal of the season after a nice feed from Caitlin Brown, making it a 3-0 game.

The Mavericks wouldn’t stop there, as Vetter scored her fourth goal of the season just 59 seconds later, making it a 4-0 game. 

Rachel Luedtke managed to grab her first of the year at the 89:54 mark to seal the 5-0 win.

Maverick goalkeepers split time in the contest, with Clare Longueville playing the majority of the game at 63:54, and Ava Blackney seeing her first minutes in net at 26:06.

Both keepers made one save each for the combined shutout against the eagles.

Feature photo by Dylan Engel / The Reporter