Box Score MINOT, N.D. – Minnesota State University soccer showed why it is ranked No. 6 in the country and No. 1 in the Central Region.

The Mavericks scored a goal in each half and limited Minot State University on the offensive end to take a 2-0 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference win Sunday at Herb Parker Stadium.
The Beavers mustered only six shots in the match and just two shots in the second half as the Mavericks ball-control was near perfect throughout.

“We know they are a top team and we understood just how tough this one was going to be coming in,” MISU head coach Jason Spain said. “They showed why they are ranked so high. I thought we settled in a bit after the early going and played well, but we didn't generate too much offense.”

The Mavericks (8-1-1 overall, 7-0-0 NSIC) put the pressure on Minot State right off the bat, generating four shots, a corner kick and a foul on the Beavers. The foul led to a penalty kick by Caitlin Graboski, which she slipped in just past a diving Marie Torres (Sr., GK, San Bruno, Calif.) for the 1-0 lead.

Minot State (6-3-1, 4-3-0) settled in a generated a couple shots in the first half, but the Mavericks possession kept the scoring chances to the outside and at a minimum.

MSU's Emily Morris gave the Mavericks some insurance in the second half as she flicked a header off a free kick from Lauren Somers for a 2-0 lead in the 50 th minute. The ball seemed to travel through both Maverick offensive players and Minot State defenders before Morris got just enough of the ball for the goal.

The Beavers were limited to just six shots overall in the game and just four on goal. MISU was held to only two shots in the second half. Minnesota State goalkeeper Molly McGough stopped all four shots for the shutout.

Minot State will head out on the road for NSIC games this week for the first of four straight road games, playing at St. Cloud State Saturday (1 p.m.) and the University of Minnesota Duluth Sunday (1 p.m.).