Northern Sun Conference: Playoffs are taking shape! MN State Mankato and St Cloud State projected to the NCAAs, Augustana, CSP and Minot State on the cusp of at large chances, Wayne and Northern look to hold on to NSIC spots, and Winona could play spoile

Author: Mark Privratsky

NSIC Standings as of 10-30-24

There are just a few games left for the Northern Sun soccer squads, and we are seeing their playoff futures  defined quickly. As the postseason draws near, we are here to breakdown where teams stand in terms of both making the NSIC playoffs, as well as NCAA chances. For MN State Mankato and St Cloud State, it's about maintaining their position and holding onto at large hopes. For Augustana, Concordia St Paul, Minot State, Bemidji State, and U Mary, they can still envision NCAA chances through a run for at large position if things go their way. Another rung of squads (Northern State, Wayne State & spoiler Winona State) is fighting to simply ensure an NSIC Tournament seed (top 8) so they can keep their dreams alive. Dig into the playoff possibilities for Northern Sun teams, find the games to watch in the last few rounds, and check out the most recent NCAA projections from Inkblot Sports in this edition of the NSIC on Equal Time!

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MN State Mankato and St Cloud State projected to NCAAs, tops in NSIC

Cady Compton (Center), Darby Allen (Left), Izzy Halunen (Right) Photo: SCSU

You wouldn't expect a team who wins 9-0 (MSU Moorhead) and 4-0 (Sioux Falls) over two weekends to feel vulnerable, but MN State Mankato showed again that any game in the NSIC can be a tough one. Two days after putting up 9 on the dragons, Mankato had to settle for a 0-0 draw to Northern State at home to theoretically keep the regular season NSIC race in the air. Regardless, MN State Mankato is still undefeated in conference play, and holds a 5 point lead over St Cloud State. Consider the Mavericks a lock for the NCAAs even if they still want to win some NSIC silverware along the way. They'll play at Bemidji State this Friday at 5pm before playing in Crookston on Sunday at 1pm. St Cloud State meanwhile has taken advantage of their softer schedule in the 2nd half. After drawing Mary and Minot, they've beaten Moorhead, Northern, SW MN State, and Sioux Falls to also sit in at at large position for the NCAAs. In order to stay there they'll need to win the games you'd predict them to, versus Winona and Crookston the next two weeks, but obviously the Huskies want the playoff NSIC hardware to match last year's regular season trophy as well. 

Projected D2 NCAA Bracket from Inkblot Sports (@inkblotsports on twitter)

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Playing for their NCAA fate:
​Augustana, Concordia St Paul, Minot State, U Mary and Bemidji State

Augustana Seniors (Photo: Auggie Athletics)

As one of the best D2 conferences in the country, we've become accustomed to seeing 2 or 3 NSIC teams in the tourney the last few years. While MN State Mankato and St Cloud can feel a bit more safe in their at large chances (though they may not admit it), we've got a big cluster of teams who could play their way to the big dance even without winning the Northern Sun. According to our friends at Inkblot Sports, who we sourced the predicted D2 bracket from, the next 3 in the Tourney from the Central Region would be Augustana, CSP and Minot State. If they win the last few regular season games and take a couple in the NSIC tourney, they can hold real hope for an at large bid. If Bemidji State and U Mary go on their own similar runs, you could see them in the conversation for an at large bid as well. In other words, the race for the big postseason is still wide open for a ton of NSIC squads, but they need to find their rhythm fast. 

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Fighting for NSIC playoff spots:
​Northern State, Wayne State fight for last spots, Winona can play spoiler

As it stands, the top 6 seeds are looking safe in their NSIC playoff chances (although Bemidji State almost drew their way into danger), but then it gets dicey. Even though Minot State is projected as an almost NCAA tourney team, they still aren't guaranteed a Northern Sun bid yet. With Minot State (7th, 18pts) and Northern State (8th, 18pts) holding the last spots with just a 2 point lead over Wayne State, your bet is as good as ours as to who will make the final 8. Wayne will have to get out of a Dakota twofer of Mary and Minot with some points, and hope Winona doesn't spoil their hopes on the last day (Nov 7). Minot faces Sioux Falls, Wayne and Moorhead, while Northern faces Auggie, SW MN State, and U Mary. 

Anna Miotto (Photo: Minot State)

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Games to Watch

Friday, November 1
U Mary vs Wayne State, 1pm
Bemidji State vs MN State Mankato, 5pm
Northern State vs Augustana, 5:30pm
St Cloud State vs Winona State, 6pm

Sunday, November 3
Minot State vs Wayne State, 1pm
Bemidji State vs Concordia-St Paul, 1pm

Thursday, November 7
Wayne State vs Winona State, 3pm
U Mary vs Northern State, 5pm

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