MSU Women’s Soccer set up for another successful season

After a stunning 2021 season, going 18-3-2, Minnesota State University, Mankato’s women’s soccer team is back in full swing, looking to repeat last year’s successes. 

The Mavericks started their regular season Aug. 26, at Missouri Southern, with a 3-1 win. Having played two games since, the team’s most current record stands at 2-1.

MSU’s most recent game on Sunday was against the number one team in the nation, Grand Valley State. The team took a road trip over to Allendale, Michigan to face their biggest challenge early in the season. 

Caitlin Brown, a fifth year attacking midfielder for the Mavericks, shared her thoughts a few days before the game. “If we can put up a fight against a team like them, I think we stand a good chance against pretty much any team,” said Brown.

Fight is just what they did, as No. 19 ranked MSU shut out No. 1 ranked GVS, with a late goal in the second half, scored by Jenny Vetter. With an equal amount of 18 shots for both teams, it was overall an evenly matched game. However, the final score being 1-0, handed the Lakers their first regular season loss since the Mavericks beat them in 2019.

MSU’s women’s soccer team is set up for a successful remainder of the season, as their biggest obstacle was conquered when they defeated Grand Valley State.

The Mavericks are now preparing for their first home game of the season against Wayne State College at 3 p.m. tomorrow at The Pitch. MSU is hoping for the same outcome as last year, having beat WSC 2-1.

Brian Bahl, MSU’s women’s soccer head Coach, spoke on the confidence he has for his team this season. “This team has tremendous potential, but I think we’re still trying to find out who we are exactly,” Bahl said. “If we can figure that out and hopefully start meshing a bit more, I think the sky’s the limit for this team.”

Win or lose, the Mavericks have made it clear that the team is all about family. Ashlyn Watt, a sophomore holding midfielder, touched on what drew her to play for MSU. “Everyone is so family minded and welcoming, especially when I first came here,” said Watt. 

Fifth year, Brown added that, “We really pride our team on not only our athletic ability and talent, but really the culture that we cultivate. We play for each other.”

Brown and Watt both said that another part of what makes the team stand out and excel is the stress they place on unity and fun. Having pre-game rituals is key for the Mavericks. One of the things the team does before every game is huddle up and synchronize their feet to the warm up music. 

“We also have all of these pregame chants that we do and we have to reference ‘Jersey Shore,’” said Brown. “We’re a very superstitious team.” 

Whatever superstitions the soccer team needs to partake in before each game seems to be working, as they have started out the season strong.

Header Photo: Maverick Soccer will debut their home opener against Wayne State and Augustana this weekend at The Pitch. (Dylan Engel/The Reporter)

Write to Ali Reed at Alicia.Reed@mnsu.edu