The Free Press, Mankato, MN

College Sports

September 13, 2010

Early-season struggles continue for MSU

Mavs get shut out by Metro State

By Tyler Buckentine Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — The start of the 2010 season has been unlike any other that coach Peter McGahey or his players on the Minnesota State women’s soccer team have experienced in their time with the Mavericks.

Minnesota State opened the season with a win at Northern Michigan but then suffered two shutouts, including one to Regis in Friday’s home opener.

The ball continued to roll in the wrong direction Sunday when the Mavericks lost to No. 5 Metro State 3-0 at The Pitch at Gage Towers.

“There were good moments, but unfortunately there were too many that we got punished for,” said McGahey, who took over as coach in 2008. “Our good moments are undone because mistakes for us become permanent really fast.”

The Roadrunners opened the scoring 10 minutes into the game when Aleah DeGeneres scored on assists from Taylor Nicholls and Brittany Cito. Metro State added another goal before the half by Michael’ Ann Karas with seven minutes left.

Ashley Nemmers scored 19 minutes into the second half with assists from Karas and Nicole Pollack.

“(Metro State) put the ball in the back of the net, and we didn’t do that,” said Minnesota State senior Jesse Audas. “They finished, and we couldn’t put one in.”

Metro State only put four shots on goal and three went in. The Mavericks had two shots on goal, one by Katrina Waltz in the first half and one by Nicole Dooher in the second half.

“(Metro State’s) scored on a fourth of their shots,” McGahey said. “Their shots on goal are going in the goal. In the first half, I thought they had two good chances, and they scored two goals. They finished better than us.”

Chelsey Eley had one save for Minnesota State, and Alee Seehausen had two for Metro State.

The 1-3 start is Minnesota State’s worst since 2006 when the Mavericks last missed the region tournament. The Mavericks started 1-3 that season but finished 9-6-2. From 2007-09, Minnesota State is 46-12-5, so this is the first time in recent years that the Mavericks have seen struggles like these.

“It’s a different team and a new experience,” Audas said. “We rise as a team, and we fall as a team. We have to come back and work harder.”

The Mavericks hope to get back on track starting with the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opener against St. Cloud State at 1 p.m. Saturday at The Pitch at Gage Towers. Minnesota State will host Concordia-St. Paul at 1 p.m. Sunday.

“When you have high aspirations, the difficulty is reminding yourself that you have to take it one day at a time,” McGahey said. “Everything starts over now. We’re competing for playoff spots and a place in the conference tournament. Now the NCAA tournament is a stretch goal, but I think it’s still there for us.”

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