Setting the Scene: The Southwest Minnesota State soccer team will begin a stretch of games on the road on Thursday when they travel to Mankato to take on Minnesota State, Mankato at 3 p.m. The Mustangs will be in Minot, N.D. on Saturday at 2 p.m when they take on Minot State.
Sizing up the Competition: MSU currently holds a record of 3-4-1 (2-1-1 NSIC) and is ranked third in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Last weekend they traveled to the University of Mary and Northern State for a couple of NSIC match-ups. The Mavericks and Marauders tied on Friday with a 1-1 decision, while NSU defeated MSU, 1-0, on Sunday. MSU's goalkeeper, Chelsey Eley was named the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week with her first career shut-out win over St. Cloud State.
Since losing to SMSU in a 2-1 overtime decision on Sept. 15, Minot State has posted a 2-1 record including an 8-0 win over Jamestown College, and a 4-1 victory over the University of Great Falls (Mont.). The Beavers currently hold a record of 5-3-2.
For the Record: SMSU and Minnesota State, Mankato have played each other ten times including the teams' first meeting in 1996. The Mavericks have dominated the series winning all ten games with the most recent win coming in 2009 when SMSU fell to MSU 3-0 in Marshall.
SMSU and Minot State played each other for the first time this season (Sept. 15) when the Mustangs defeated the Beavers when
Maggy Rouse scored three minutes into overtime lift SMSU to a 2-1 victory.
Last Time Out: SMSU had a pair of NSIC match-ups this weekend with Northern State and Mary.
Kelly Fitzgerald scored the only goal of the weekend for SMSU on Friday en-route to a 1-1 double overtime tie with Northern.
Michelle Jones' goal for Mary proved to be enough to top the Southwest Minnesota State soccer team Sunday in a 1-0 decision.
The two teams remained scoreless for 59 minutes until Jones' shot found the back of the net on an assist from Chelsea Eades. SMSU took six shots during the game with just one solo shot on goal from Maggy Rouse.
Senior Experience: SMSU has plenty of leadership experience this season with six seniors on the roster including goalie, Kendra Olchefske (Albert Lea, Minn.), Tatum Borstad (Coppell, Tex.), Jenna Perske (Sartell, Minn.), Kate Voigt (Hudson, Wis.), and Liz Judkins (Bemidji, Minn.). This group of seniors has charted three-year overall record of 8-41-4.
Stay connected: Stay connected with SMSU soccer all season long at www.smsumustangs.com. The Mustangs are also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/smsumustangs and Twitter at www.twitter.com/smsumustangs.
