Mankato, Minn. --- Sophomore Emily Erickson scored her second game-winning goal is as many games as third-rated Minnesota State used a stifling defensive effort to blank Minnesota Duluth 1-0 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play Sunday afternoon at The Pitch.
 
The Mavericks now stand 13-1-0 overall and 11-0-0 in NSIC play and are riding a 10-match winning streak, while the Bulldogs fall to 10-3-0 on the year and 9-2-0 within the conference.
 
The Purple and Gold also stretches its NSIC and home unbeaten streaks to 31 matches which are 12th and tied for 13th in NCAA Division II history. MSU's conference unbeaten streak is now the all-time NSIC record surpassing Winona State's previous mark.
 
Minnesota State controlled play in the initial 45 minutes which resulted in four pristine scoring chances. Sophomore Korey Kronforst (Cary, Ill.) was denied twice in the first 10 minutes on a pair of fantastic saves by UMD junior Marissa Rosa, before junior Sydney Temple (Madison, Wis.) drilled the crossbar near the 30-minute mark. Junior Emily Moris (Woodbury, Minn.) threatened to break the deadlock in the waning minute of the first half, but Rosa denied that chance as well.
 
At the intermission, MSU held a 11-3 advantage in shots and 7-1 edge in shots on goal.
 
The Mavericks were forced to play against a driving wind for the majority of the second half, but the blustery conditions proved fortuitous in the 55th minute. Sophomore Emily Erickson (Woodbury, Minn.) collected a loose ball after it was cleared on a corner kick and drilled a ball from 30 yards out that hung in the air and carried over the arms of Rosa giving MSU a 1-0 lead. The goal was Erickson's second of her career and weekend while also marking her second career game-winner.
 
From there on, Minnesota State continued to suffocate one of the league's best offenses as MSU outshot the Bulldogs 6-3 in the second half and 17-6 on the match to secure the one-goal victory.
 
Junior Molly McGough (Centennial, Colo.) recorded two saves and was rarely tested in the victory, while Rosa picked up a match-high eight saves for UMD.
 
Minnesota State continues its home stand next weekend beginning Saturday, October 26 when it faces Sioux Falls at 1 p.m.