BOX SCORE

MARSHALL, Minn. – Minnesota State, Mankato, ranked No. 1 in the country, lived up to its top ranking on Saturday, with a 2-0 victory over Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall.
 
MSU (13-1-1, 11-0 NSIC) finished the game with 21 shots, including 11 on goal, while limiting SMSU (7-6-1, 5-6-1 NSIC) to just three shots and two on goal.  MSU has now won 11 straight games and has allowed just six goals all season.
 
Brianne West opened the scoring for MSU with an unassisted goal in the 27^th minute, her sixth goal of the season.
 
The Mavericks held a 15-0 shot advantage in the opening half, using a slight wind to their advantage.
 
The scored remained 1-0 into the second half, before MSU put the game away with Brittany Henry scoring in the 59^th minute to extend the lead to 2-0.
 
MSU held a 6-3 shot advantage in the second half.
 
Sonya Smith had nine saves for SMSU in goal, dropping to 7-6-1 on the season.
 
SMSU returns to action tomorrow with a key match-up versus Concordia-St. Paul starting at 1 p.m.  SMSU and CU opened the day tied for eighth in the NSIC standings with 16 points.  The Golden Bears defeated the University of Sioux Falls 3-1 on Saturday.