Minnesota State Mankato women’s soccer team reaches NCAA Division II championship game

Minnesota State Mankato advanced to the championship game of the NCAA Division II women’s soccer tournament with a 2-1 victory over Columbus State in the semifinals Friday in Matthews, N.C.

The Mavericks (18-1-7) will play Cal Poly Pomona on Sunday for the championship. Cal Poly Pomona (21-1-2) defeated Franklin Pierce 4-0 in the semifinals Friday.

The loss was the first of the season for Columbus State (22-1-2).

The Mavericks, the first team from the NSIC to reach the semifinals of the tournament, took an early 1-0 lead when Addison Clarey, a junior from Rochester, scored in the 11th minute. It was her team-high 10th goal of the season.

The score remained 1-0 until midway through the second half, when the Cougars tied the score in the 68th minute on a goal by Elle Henschel.

Three minutes later the Mavericks retook the lead on a goal by Marin Johnson, a freshman from Delano.

“We wanted to start fast coming out of the gates,” Mavericks coach Brian Bahl told reporters at the tournament. “We created some quality chances early on. We weren’t fazed when they tied it up, they were focused and determined to get that goal back and put us ahead. Columbus State threw a lot at us, and it was a tremendous effort by our ladies.”

Mavericks goalkeeper Clare Longueville, a senior from Eagan, had 10 saves. One came on a penalty kick by Vanessa Aviles with the Mavericks leading 1-0 in the 55th minute.

Going into the game, Longueville was second in Division II in goals-against average (0.203), first in save percentage (.946) and fourth in shutouts (13).

The Mavericks have the top defense in Division II, allowing just seven goals in 26 games. They have outscored opponents 51-7.

The Mavericks are making their 12th consecutive appearance in the Division II playoffs. The tournament was not played in 2020.