Complete Release (PDF)
MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State soccer team (0-10-0, 0-7-0 NSIC) will host a pair of conference neighbors this weekend when Augustana and Wayne State come to Marshall. SMSU and Augie are scheduled for a 12 p.m. meeting on Saturday, while the Mustangs and WSC will square off on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Series records: Saturday's meeting with Augie will be the 11th meeting between the two squads. The Mustangs are 3-6-1 against the Vikings in a series that began in 2000. Sunday's contest with WSC marks the 19th time the two programs have faced off. The Mustangs are 9-8-1 against the Wildcats in the 12-year-old series.
Last week: SMSU dropped a conference match at home, falling to Minneosota State 3-0. The loss was the Mustangs' 10th straight.
Home, sweet home: The Mustangs are in the middle of a healthy homestand, something they're thoroughly enjoying after being on the road for the first seven games of the season. SMSU's Regional Event Center has seen the Mustangs go 2-7 on its turf; the Mustangs last posted a win at the REC in their final game of the 2008 season when they blanked Minnesota, Crookston 4-0.
Newbies: While 11 familiar faces are back on the roster for 2009, nine newcomers are looking to make some noise. Eight of the fresh faces are freshmen; the other is a sophomore transfer.
According to the coaches: The NSIC's 14 head coaches have tabbed SMSU 12th in their annual preseason poll. The Mustangs received 125 points in the poll. Minnesota State, Mankato took the No. 1 spot in the poll, grabbing one first place vote and 167 points. Winona State, the NSIC's No. 2 preseason team, received three first place votes and 159 points.
Team (first place votes) Points
1. Minnesota State (1) 167
2. Winona State (3) 159
3. Augustana 134
4. Minnesota Duluth 130
5. Mary 126
6. St. Cloud State 105
7. Northern State 98
8. Bemidji State 85
9. Upper Iowa 82
10. Concordia-St. Paul 58
11. Minnesota State Moorhead 51
12. Southwest Minnesota State 34
13. Minnesota, Crookston 23
14. Wayne State 22
The coach: Amy Olson is in her second year as the leader of SMSU soccer. The third head coach in school history, Olson has a 3-24-0 all-time record at SMSU. She is assisted by Vanessa Paswaters.
Let me point this out: The NSIC's 14 head soccer coaches this year voted to use the point system to determine standings. The league had previously determined standings by a team's overall conference record. Here's how this year's standings will break down: Teams receive two points for a win, one point for a tie and no points for a loss.
Stay connected: Stay connected with SMSU volleyball all season long at www.smsumustangs.com. The Mustangs are also on Facebook and Twitter; just log onto www.facebook.com/smsumustangs and www.twitter.com/smsumustangs. For the latest video highlights and new episodes of the Mustang minute check out SMSU's official YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/smsuathletics.
