By Jason Sibson
The Mavericks tallied their 10th straight victory and sixth straight shutout in thumping conference foe Minnesota State, Mankato 2-0 in the third round of the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championship Friday afternoon in Minnesota. The victory spelled redemption for UNO’s players and coaches as they had lost to Mankato in both regular season meetings this season.Play-making senior forward Brandie Beale got the Mavericks started with a first half goal, and junior midfielder Casey Bigsby’s team-leading 10th goal of the season gave UNO’s stellar defense the insurance it needed.
With the win, the Mavericks were crowned champions of the Central Region and will stay in Mankato to prepare for a quarterfinal showdown with Grand Valley State, scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. The Lakers are riding an undefeated season and are looking for a repeat of last year’s quarterfinal victory over UNO.
The roles have been reversed this season for these two teams, as UNO was boasting an undefeated record coming into last year’s contest with Grand Valley State.
Fourty-eight teams received invites to this year’s national championship tournament and, after Friday only eight remain. Sunday’s games will cut the field in half, and the final four teams will bus to Orange Beach, Ala., for semifinal action on Nov. 30.
Look for results of Sunday’s action here on the Gateway’s Web site or check the Athletic Department’s Web site, gomavs.unomaha.edu for more information.
