MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead soccer continues the challenging NSIC conference slate this week in MSUM's last match of October. The Dragons travel to Mankato, Minn., for a matchup against the mighty ninth-ranked Mavericks of Minnesota State. The match will kick off at 3 p.m. on Friday.

Live stats and video are available at msumdragons.com
 
About the Dragons

The Dragons (1-11-2, 1-8-1 NSIC), battled to the bitter end in their last match against the UMD Bulldogs. The Bulldogs ended up edging the Dragons 2-1 in the second half of the match. MSUM's defensive performance was great in the first half, holding the Bulldogs scoreless for the first 45 minutes of the match. Freshman midfielder Madalynn Hopkins would put one in the back of the net for the Dragons in the 48^th minute courtesy of assists from fellow freshmen Becca Cook and Sophie Thompson.

Hopkins' goal was her second of the season, and this means that she is the first Dragon to notch more than one goal on the year. There were a host of Dragons who put in great efforts in the match. Sara Alfrida Munk Nielsen, Mary Cox, Marin Hensley, Mason Kimble, and goalkeeper Rylee Truslow all put in a full 90 minutes for their team. Nielsen and Lilly Johnson also recorded shots on goal in the match.

Over the full season slate, here are MSUM's statistics so far: Five goals, 84 shots (6.0 shots per game), .417 shots on goal percentage, five assists and 114 saves. MSUM is fifth in the nation in total saves heading into Friday's tilt. 

The Dragons are led by first-year head coach Scott Forster.
 
Scouting the Mavericks

The ninth ranked Mavericks (9-1-4, 8-0-2 NSIC), are unbeaten through the first ten conference matches of the season. They are formidable on the offensive half of the pitch, and they also have a very stiff defense as both of these facets have helped propel them to a top 10 ranking nationally. They were, however, played to a scoreless draw their last time out against Wayne State. In their other match last week, they rolled Sioux Falls in a 4-0 performance. Against Sioux Falls, sophomore midfielder Maddix Archer scored two goals and also added an assist as well. She is the Mavericks' leading scorer this season, totaling seven goals, while also tacking three assists on to her accomplishments as well.

The Maverick stats for the season are as follows. 24 goals, 207 shots (14.8 shots per game), .493 shots on goal percentage, 14 assists and 43 saves.

The Mavericks are led by 12th-year head coach Brian Bahl.