NCAA REGIONAL LINK LOCATED HERE.

Mankato, Minn.— The fifth-seed Minnesota State University women’s soccer team will travel to Denver, Colo. to take on fourth-seed Minnesota Duluth Friday at 2 p.m. central time. The two teams will battle in the first round of the 2009 NCAA Division II playoffs.

NSIC Tournament Recap: MSU went 0-1-1 in the two matches of the 2009 NSIC tournament last week. Increasing their overall record, 13-4-2 overall.The Mavericks ended their NSIC play (9-3-1), seeded fourth.

On Wednesday (Nov. 4) MSU played host to the number fifth-seed, University of Mary. In a close battle, the Mavericks posted 20 shots with 13 on goal in the match. MSU held Mary to four shots with three on goal in the entire match.

The Mavericks posted six shots on goal in the first period and five in the second. After a scoreless two periods, the match went into overtime.

In the first overtime period MSU had one shot on goal, while Mary posted two, ending in a scoreless first overtime period. The second overtime period MSU posted one more shot on goal, but it wasn't enough. The match ended in a tie.

To decide which team advances to the semifinals of the NSIC tournament, a shootout was held. Five players were chosen from each team for the shootout, Mary shot first.  The shootout ended with MSU scoring three goals to Mary's two. Posting the goals in the shootout were; freshman midfielder Brianne West (Omaha, Neb.), senior midfielder Natalie Bullis (Madison, Wis.) and with the game-winning goal, junior forward Laura Leber (Council Bluffs, Iowa).

Friday the NSIC semifinals were held in Winona, Minn. The Mavericks entered into battle with Winona State. Minnesota State posted four shots on goal, ending the first period scoreless.

In the second period, MSU gave up two early goals. Battling back off an assist from Leber, junior forward Ann Kincaid(Bettendorf, Iowa) scored the loan goal for MSU. Unable to connect on another goal, MSU was defeated by Winona State 2-1.

Senior goalkeeper Sheila Reynolds(St. Charles, Ill.) tallied eight saves in the two-matches of the NSIC tournament. Reynolds has a save percentage of .864 with a record of 12-4-2 for the season and 29-12-5 for her career, with 20 career shutouts.

About Minnesota Duluth: The Bulldogs currently hold a 16-2-2 overall record. UMD finished NSIC play 11-1-1. Minnesota Duluth entered the NSIC tournament facing Northern State in quarterfinals and defeated them, 1-0. They then moved on to the semifinal round in Winona, Minn. defeating St. Cloud State, 2-1. Entering the championship round of the NSIC tournament UMD faced Winona Stae and defeated them for the championship title, 2-1, and the automatic bid into the NCAA Division II tournament. The bulldogs are coached by Greg Cane and assisted by, Kelly Grgas-Wheeler and Stacey Prodaniuk.

MSU/UMD History: The Mavericks currently lead in match history with an 11-6-2 record against the Bulldogs. This will be the third match-up this season for the two teams. On Aug. 30 Minnesota State hosted the Bulldogs and defeated them, 2-0, at The Pitch. The Mavericks then traveled to Minnesota Duluth September 20, and experienced their first loss of the season, 1-0.

For a complete version of these notes click HERE.