Minnesota State Mankato receives a bye in Division II football playoffs

Minnesota State Mankato is one of the top four seeds for the 28-team NCAA Division II football playoffs.

MSU Mankato, Slippery Rock, Valdosta State and Ferris State received first-round byes for the playoffs, which begin Saturday.

Two other NSIC teams were awarded berths. Augustana (9-2) will play at Colorado State-Pueblo on Saturday, while Sioux Falls (8-3) will play at Colorado School of Mines.

Mankato (11-0) will play host to the Augustana/Colorado State-Pueblo winner in the second round Nov. 30.

Division II playoff bracket

• MIAC co-champion St. John's and Upper Midwest champion Martin Luther were among the 32 teams in the NCAA Division III playoff field announced Sunday. St. John's (9-1) will play host to Aurora (Ill.) in the first round Saturday, while Martin Luther (9-1) will travel to Wheaton (Ill.).

Division III playoff bracket

• Winona State (8-3) will play in the Mineral Water Bowl on Dec. 7 in Excelsior Springs, Mo.

JOEL RIPPEL

Minnesota State Mankato defeated host Concordia (St. Paul) 3-0 in the championship game of the NSIC women's soccer tournament. It's fourth consecutive NSIC tournament championship for the Mavericks (17-3-1).

Jenny Vetter scored two goals for the Mavericks, who earned their ninth consecutive berth in the Division II playoffs. The Division II tournament field will be announced Monday.

• Ellie Eskierka's goal in the 39th minute lifted St. Thomas to a 1-0 victory over Illinois Wesleyan in the second round of the NCAA Division III women's soccer playoffs in St. Paul. Sarah Pasternak had eight saves for the Tommies (17-2-3).

North Park beat Gustavus on penalty kicks in the men's soccer playoffs in Chicago, after the teams played to a 1-1 tie. Otis Anderson scored in the 88th minute for the Gusties (18-4).