Complete Release (PDF)

MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State soccer team (0-7-0, 0-4-0 NSIC) will be at home for the first time this season this weekend when Mary (2-0-1, 4-4-2 NSIC) and Northern State (1-1-1, 3-4-3 NSIC) travel to Marshall for a pair of conference games.  SMSU meets up with Mary at 7 p.m. on Friday and NSU at 1 p.m. on Sunday.  The contests will be the opening parts of a seven-game homestand for the Mustangs.

Series records:  Friday's meeting with U-Mary will be eighth game between the two programs.  The Marauders are a perfect 7-0 against the Mustangs all-time.  Sunday's tilt with NSU will be the 16th contest in the series.  SMSU is 9-7-1 against the Wolves all-time.

Last week:  SMSU dropped a pair of NSIC games on the road last weekend, falling 2-1 to St. Cloud State on Saturday and 5-1 to Concordia University, St. Paul on Sunday.  The losses were No. 6 and No. 7 on the season for the Mustangs.

Firsts of '09:  The Mustangs found the back of the net for the first time in 2009 last weekend, recording goals in both of their matches.  Kate Voigt (Hudson, Wis.) did the honors of netting the first goal of the season when she lit up the scoreboard in the 32nd minute of SMSU's game with SCSU.  Tatum Borstad (Coppell, Texas) was responsible for the Mustangs' second goal of 2009 when she scored in the 42nd minute of the Mustangs' match-up with CU.

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 3-19-0 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.