Complete Release (PDF)
MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State soccer team (0-9-0, 0-6-0 NSIC) will complete part three of a seven-game homestand on Friday, hosting Minnesota State, Mankato (7-2-1, 3-2-1 NSIC) at 2 p.m. The contest will kick off weekend festivities for this year's homecoming celebration.
Series records: Friday's meeting with MSU will mark the 10th time the two programs have faced off in a series that began in 1996. The Mustangs are still looking for their first win against the former North Central Conference team who joined the league last season.
Last week: SMSU dropped a pair of NSIC contests in its first weekend at home. On Friday, Mary scored with less than a minute remaining to break a scoreless tie and sneak by the Mustangs 1-0. Saturday's game with Northern State also resulted in a 1-0 loss for SMSU.
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 2-6 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 3-23-0 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.
