College Sports
Related Photos
-
Jason Wachter
Discussion
Tools
MSU to host Hillsdale in playoff game
Mavericks seeded third in region
MANKATO — A year ago, rookie Minnesota State University football coach Todd Hoffner guided the Mavericks to the team’s first playoff appearance in 14 years.
This year, the Mavericks are back and taking things one step further. Instead of having to travel to Ohio to start the playoffs as they did in 2008, MSU has played well enough to host a first-round game against Hillsdale (Mich.) at Blakeslee Stadium.
The game is scheduled for a noon start on Saturday.
Minnesota State (10-1) saw its perfect regular season come to an end on Saturday with a 26-21 loss to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rival St. Cloud State. That dropped the Mavericks from the top spot in the regional rankings to No. 3. Minnesota-Duluth is ranked No. 1 and Grand Valley State is 2.
“We’re very excited to be one of the 24 teams playing in the national tournament,” Hoffner said Sunday, shortly after the NCAA selection show. “Our players have worked hard all season to get to this point and nice to have a game at home on our own field in front of our own fans.”
Had MSU garnered one of the top two spots in the rankings, it would have received a first-round bye in the tournament. Although the week off would have given MSU more time to heal up from the grind of an 11-game regular season, Hoffner said there’s a silver lining to playing right away, as well.
“This will allow us to get the bitter taste of the loss to St. Cloud out of our system right away,” he said. “We have a new team to focus on now and we’ll start getting ready on Monday.”
Redshirt freshman Jake Aberg said being able to play Hillsdale in Mankato would be a big advantage for the Mavericks.
“Instead of us having to do all the traveling they have to come here,” he said. “We haven’t lost at Blakeslee in two seasons so we’re excited to be getting them on our home field.”
Hoffner describes Hillsdale as a well-balanced team with a good passing attack and solid ground game. He said the Chargers (9-2) also play pretty tough defense.
“In many ways they’re a lot like the Mavericks,” he said. “We anticipate a hard-fought battle Saturday.”
- College Sports
-
-
Top-seeded Mavericks get knocked off by Huskies
St. Cloud State advanced to the region championship game with an 83-71 victory Sunday, ending the season for the top-seeded Mavericks.
-
Home ice for Gusties in Frozen Four
For the first time in the nine-year history over the NCAA Division III women’ hockey tournament, a school from the west region is hosting the Frozen Four, as the national semifinals and championship will be played today and Saturday at Gustavus Adolphus’ Don Roberts Ice Rink.
-
Hjelm follows in father's footsteps with hockey success at Gustavus
Like her father Rick did 28 years ago, freshman Lindsey Hjelm helped a Gustavus hockey team reach the national semifinals.
-
Mavericks call it a year after tough loss
With its season complete, the Minnesota State men’s hockey team had a short gathering on Monday afternoon at All Seasons Arena.
-
Mavs fall in OT to St. Cloud State
MSU's season came to an end Sunday as the Mavericks fell to St. Cloud State 3-2 in overtime in the first round of the WCHA playoffs.
-
Gustie men and women get tourney bids
The Gustavus men's and women's hockey teams each received bids into the NCAA tournament Monday.
-
Mavs heading back to St. Cloud for playoffs
The Mavericks officially became the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s eighth seed, and they’d be heading right back to St. Cloud for the first round of the conference tournament.
-
MSU earns No. 1 seed in Central Region tourney
Minnesota State has received the No. 1 seed for the Central Region and will host the opening games of the NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament at Bresnan Arena.
-
Mavs stun Huskies 4-2
The Mavericks took advantage of three early penalties, scoring all of their goals in the first period, en route to the 4-2 upset win over fourth-ranked St. Cloud State.
-
Gusties lose MIAC title game in overtime
St. Thomas' Brett Tobin scored 3:27 into overtime as the No. 3 seeded Tommies upset top-seeded Gustavus in the MIAC Tournament Championship, 2-1, at Don Roberts Ice Rink.
- More College Sports Headlines
-
