MANKATO, Minn. – No. 17 Minnesota State Mankato applied pressure to the Winona State University defense for 90 minutes on Friday afternoon as the defending NSIC champions handed the Warriors their first conference loss of the year, 3-1.
Quality shot opportunities came at a premium for the Warriors in Friday's matinee as Winona State was limited to just five shots on goal. Adversely, Minnesota State more than doubled its opportunities to score and tested goalkeeper Jourdan Valkner all day with 15 shots on target.
It didn't take long for the scoreless tie to be broken as the Mavericks executed a successful corner kick at the 5:40 mark of the first to break the scoring seal.
The Warriors struggled to create opportunities for themselves in the first half as the Mavericks controlled the ball for the majority of the frame. Winona State was only able to get four shots off compared to the Minnesota State's 11.
Consequently, two of Winona States' shots were just off the mark as Georgette Topalis tagged the crossbar midway through the frame. And again just before halftime, Alyssa Reynolds fired a shot off the steel on the potential game-tying goal over the outstretched hand of the Maverick keeper.
Coming out of the half, the Maverick's offense didn't let up as they added a second goal just two minutes into the frame that proved to be the deciding factor.
The Mavericks would add a third to their tally midway through the second before Reynolds found Chase Rehm to beat the Minnesota State goalie on her right side to cut the WSU deficit to 3-1.
Courtney Wiencek had a chance to bring the Warriors within one score late, but her shot sailed just over the crossbar.
Skyla Atkins, Addie Royer and Wiencek each had a pair of shots in the loss.
The Mavericks uncorked 24 total shots with Valkner corralling 12 saves in the setback.
Winona State falls to 1-2-0 (1-1-0 NSIC) and Minnesota State improves to 3-1-0 (1-0-0 NSIC).
The Warriors conclude their weekend road trip with a Sunday afternoon contest at Concordia-St. Paul set for 1 p.m.
