Complete Release

MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State soccer team (1-11-0, 1-8-0 NSIC) will close a seven-game homestand this weekend when Upper Iowa (8-7-3, 3-4-2 NSIC) and Winona State (11-4-0, 8-1-0 NSIC) come to Marshall.  SMSU and UIU are scheduled for a 1 p.m. meeting on Saturday, while the Mustangs and WSU will play at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Series records:  Saturday's meeting with UIU will be the fifth contest between the two schools in the three-year old series.  The Mustangs are 1-3-0 against the Peacocks all-time.  Sunday's game with WSU will be the 24th game between the two programs.  SMSU is still looking for its first win against the Warriors as the Mustangs are 0-21-2 against WSU all-time.  The two squads met earlier this season on Sept. 11; WSU posted a 4-0 victory.

Last week:   SMSU picked up its first win of 2009 on Sunday, blanking Wayne State 2-0.  Saturday's tilt with Augustana resulted in a 4-1 loss for the Mustangs.

Twice is nice:  Sophomore Kelly Fitzgerald (Marshalltown, Iowa) was responsible for SMSU's two goals against Wayne State on Sunday, a performance that helped lift her Mustangs to their first victory of the season.  The forward scored both goals in the first half, tying her career-high for goals in a game.  The two-goal outing by Fitzgerald was also the first time SMSU has scored multiple goals in a game this season.

Senior moment:  Senior Heather Anderson (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) scored the first goal of her career on Saturday against Augustana, finding the back of the net in the 19th minute.  The midfielder is the lone senior on this year's squad.

According to the coaches:  The NSIC's 14 head coaches 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 4-24-0 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 soccer 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.