WINONA, Minn. – The fourth-seeded Winona State soccer team continues NSIC Tournament play Friday afternoon when it plays top-seed and host Minnesota State at 2 p.m. Friday at The Pitch in Mankato.
HOW THEY GOT THERE: Mehan Bolton scored the lone goal for the Warriors, beating St. Cloud State 1-0 Wednesday evening in the NSIC Tournament quarterfinals at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winona.
LAST TIME vs. MSU: Despite a statistically even game, the Warriors fell to the Mavericks 2-1 last week at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winona. MSU held a 21-20 edge in shots and an 8-7 advantage in shots on goal. Abby Bohanski scored in the 88th minute on an assist from Mehan Bolton to prevent the shutout.
LAST WIN vs. MSU: The Warriors enter Friday's NSIC Tournament semifinal against Minnesota State with a four-match losing streak against the Mavericks. WSU's last win over MSU came November 3, 2013 in a 1-0 victory.
LAST WIN IN MANKATO: The Warriors last beat Minnesota State in Mankato on Oct. 24, 2009 – a 4-2 WSU victory. WSU won on Mankato's field as recently as last season when it beat Minnesota Duluth 2-0 in the NSIC Tournament semifinals.
SERIES HISTORY WITH MSU: Despite a four-game losing streak, the Warriors hold a 14-11 edge in series history dating back to 1996.
WHAT A VICTORY WOULD MEAN: A win Friday would send WSU to the NSIC Tournament championship game Sunday at 1 p.m. against the winner of Friday's other semifinal matchup between Augustana and Minot State. A win Sunday would earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
REGION RANKINGS: The Winona State soccer team held steady at No. 5 in the Nov. 4 edition of the NCAA Central Region Rankings. The top six teams earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament, which will be held Nov. 13-15 and Nov. 20-22. The Warriors are seeking their third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament and seventh in program history. Five of the region's top 10 teams are from the NSIC, with Minnesota State at No. 1, Augustana at No. 3, Minot State at No. 4, the Warriors at No. 5 and St. Cloud State – which WSU beat Wednesday – at No. 10.
