A New Chapter for the Mavericks
Minnesota State entered the 2026 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference preseason poll with 223 points and 13 of 16 first‑place votes, signaling that the program is the clear favorite to capture the league title.
Senior defender Mila Rustin was honored as the NSIC Defensive Player of the Year after a 2025 campaign that featured five goals, an assist and a career total of 15 points, while her 38 shots included 16 on target.
On the attacking side, senior forward Maddix Archer returns as one of the team’s most potent scoring threats, having tied for third on the squad with 12 points last season.
Goalkeeper Lauren McAlpine, a junior who earned D2CCA First Team All‑America honors and was named NSIC Goalkeeper of the Year, posted a .906 save percentage and recorded 16 shutouts, anchoring a defense that helped the Mavericks finish 18‑1‑4 overall in 2025.
Junior forward Marin Johnson also returns among the top three scorers, contributing five goals and three assists for 13 points, adding depth to an offense that scored 13 points across the previous season.
Head coach Brian Bahl, who has guided the Mavericks to 12 NCAA Tournament appearances in 13 seasons and holds a career record of 272‑72‑53, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of sustained success.
The 2026 schedule begins with exhibition matches against Iowa Lakes Community College, Northwest Missouri State and Simpson College starting August 16, before the regular season opens on August 28 with a home‑opening weekend against Central Missouri and No. 19 Grand Valley State.
Conference play will follow a 15‑match format where victories are worth three points and ties one, culminating in the NSIC Tournament scheduled for early November, with the top four seeds hosting first‑round games.
Building on a 2025 campaign that produced an 11th NSIC championship and a No. 16 national ranking, the Mavericks aim to translate their preseason momentum into another deep postseason run.