MANKATO —
After five games, Minnesota State women’s soccer player Caitlin Graboski has no regrets about transferring from Division I Iowa State to Division II MSU.
“The team’s been doing great; it’s been really easy,” the junior midfielder said after the Mavericks’ 3-1 Northern Sun victory over Minnesota-Crookston on Saturday afternoon. “It was good that I came in last spring. That helped a lot; I got to know the girls better and how we play.”
Graboski made her transition complete by scoring her first goal as a Maverick. The header off a corner kick from Cassie Weik gave MSU a 1-0 lead in the game’s 26th minute.
“It felt good,” she said. “In the past few games, I’ve had a lot of opportunities, so I was due. I’m happy I finally got one in.”
The Woodbury native transferred to Minnesota State despite being a starter for the Cyclones. MSU, she said was a better fit both athletically and academically. Graboski is a communications disorders and speech pathology major.
“I think she’s a marvelous fit,” Mavericks coach Peter McGahey said. “She’s been wonderful for our whole program.”
Graboski and MSU’s starters dominated the first half and built a 3-0 lead before McGahey put in his reserves.
Haley Petterson and Jessica Bowe also scored their first MSU goals. Petterson’s came off a corner kick by Lianna Morrow in the 41st minute, and Bowe scored less than three minutes later, getting assists from Korey Kronforst and Sydney Temple.
“Our sharpness in the first half was good,” McGahey said.
Minnesota State outshot Crookston 28-7 and put 14 of those shots on net.
Crookston got on the board in the game’s 72nd minute when Carly Mirwaldt’s header went over the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Lauren Hoeppner. It was the first goal of the season for the Golden Eagles (0-4-0).
“The bottom line is we’re 1-0 today,” McGahey said. “We’re working on the big picture here. We’re 1-0, and doing the things we need to do. A lot of people got to play.”
Hoeppner played the second half and made one save. Starter Molly McGough stopped two shots in the first half and was credited with the win.
The victory extended the Mavericks unbeaten streak at The Pitch at Gage Towers to 16 games, one shy of the school record. Minnesota State (3-1-1, 2-0-0 in NSIC) will host Bemidji State at 1 p.m. today.
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Related Photos
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Minnesota State's Kari Becker keeps an eye on the ball during the Mavericks' match against the University of Minnesota, Crookston Saturday. Pat Christman
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Minnesota State's Kristina Gelecki and University of Minnesota, Crookston's Delaney McIntyre battle for the ball during their match Saturday. Pat Christman
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