MANKATO, Minn. — Several Minnesota State Mankato teams are making historic postseason runs this year.
First it was basketball, and now women’s soccer reached the Division II semifinals for the first time in program history, thanks to a penalty kick victory. The Mavericks defeated Grand Valley State 2-1 in a nail-biting finish.
“I’m so excited to do something that’s never been done before,” junior Jade Jackson said.
The team has the Conference Defenseman of the Year on its roster, as well as a goaltender with a 94% save percentage. Jackson attributes the team’s success to team chemistry.
“We’re best friends. We hang out on the weekends when we don’t have football, it’s like family,” Jackson said.
“This team is above and beyond anything we’ve had here, a great group of people,” said head coach Brian Bahl.
In his twelfth season with the Mavericks, he has felt every tough win this team has had. It will give them the experience they need to take on No. 1 Columbus State in the semifinals on Friday.
“We’ve been building a foundation brick by brick all season, and every game is part of that foundation building process,” Bahl said.
Marielle Mohs
