Box Score

MANKATO, Minn.— The Southwest Minnesota State women's soccer team dropped to 2-3 in NSIC play following its 4-0 loss on the road to Minnesota State on a rainy Sunday afternoon in Mankato.
 
Minnesota State saw most of the run of play in the opening half as SMSU goalkeeper, Jessica Craigmile faced seven shots in the first fifteen minutes. The Mustangs were able to hold off a number of scoring opportunities from the Mavericks early on including a one on one stop from Craigmile in the eighth minute.
 
With the score still deadlocked at 0-0, SMSU was called for a foul inside of its penalty area in the 17^th minute. Kiana Nickel stepped to the spot for Mankato and converted to give the Mavericks a 1-0 lead.
 
Facing a strong wind in their face, the Mustangs were on their back foot for much of the first half as Minnesota State controlled most of the possession with a number of chances in the attacking third. Craigmile came off of her line but missed the ball, leaving Jenny Hoerter a wide open net however, the SMSU backline was there to deny one of the best scoring opportunities of the first half just before halftime.
 
Despite being outshot 12-1 in total shots and 5-0 in shots on goal in the first half, SMSU went into halftime down only 1-0.
 
Playing with the wind, SMSU saw much of the same from its opponent out of the halftime break as Minnesota State continued to create quality chances. Hoerter brought the ball to her feet, turned and struck the left side netting behind Craigmile to give Minnesota State a 2-0 just seven minutes into the second half. After a shot hit the cross bar, Nickel put away the rebound for the Mavericks just three minutes later to make the score 3-0.
 
The Mavericks struck again on a quick counter attack in the 67^th minute to make the score 4-0 as Morgan Cottew scored her team leading fifth goal of the season.
 
Jessica Craigmile had some big saves finishing with seven total saves however, the SMSU defense faced 24 total shots including 12 shots on target. The Mustangs suffered their biggest loss so far this year in the 4-0 defeat.
 
The loss drops SMSU to 3-5 overall on the season while Minnesota State is now 4-2-1 (3-1 NSIC).
 
The Mustangs will play back to back home games next weekend starting with a match at 12 p.m. versus No. 16 Minot State on Saturday, as a part of SMSU's homecoming festivities. SMSU will then play the University of Mary on Sunday at 1 p.m.