OPENING KICK
The Southwest Minnesota State women's soccer team will hit the road for its final road trip after earning four points last week. SMSU will travel to MSU Moorhead and Northern State. Both games are set to start at 1 p.m. SMSU is 6-6-2 overall and 6-4-1 in the NSIC. Visit smsumustangs.com for coverage information.

OPPONENTS AT A GLANCE
MSU MOORHEAD-MSUM will enter the weekend 1-9-3 overall and 1-9-1 in the NSIC. MSU Moorhead has struggled as it rides a six-game losing streak. The Dragons lone win comes early in the season against Northern State on Sept. 13 with a 1-0. MSUM has only recorded only six goals in its 13 games as it's been shutout eight times. Goalkeeper, Ashley Leintz, leads the NSIC in saves per game (9.50) and is second in total saves (114).

NORTHERN STATE-NSU will enter the weekend 5-8-1 overall and 3-7-1 in the NSIC. Northern State will host Sioux Falls on Saturday before playing SMSU on Sunday. The Wolves snapped a five-game losing streak last weekend as it defeated Bemidji State 2-1, but dropped the second game of the weekend to Minnesota Crookston, 2-1. NSU has 10 games that have been decided by one goal, four being wins. The Wolves have scored just seven goals in it's last six games.

SERIES HISTORY
MSU MOORHEAD-Southwest Minnesota State will meet MSU Moorhead for the 25th time in program history on Saturday afternoon, while holding a 11-10-3 advantage in a series that started back in 1996 season. The Dragons hold a 6-4-1 advange in games in Moorhead with SMSU's last win coming in 2013 in Moorhead. SMSU has won the last three games with its last loss coming back in 2011 in Moorhead.

NORTHERN STATE-SMSU will face Northern State for the 24th time in program history on Sunday, while holding a 12-9-2 advantage in a series that started back in the 1997 season. NSU holds a 5-3-2 advange in games played at Jerde Field but the Mustangs have taken the last contest back in 2013. SMSU's last loss in Aberdeen, S.D., comes back in 2008.

HEAD COACH
Erin Kasmarik-Mallett is in her first season as head women's soccer coach at Southwest Minnesota State in 2015. She was named to the position on July 23, 2015. Kasmarik-Mallett, who becomes the fifth head coach in program history, comes to SMSU after serving as the head boys' soccer coach at Brookings (S.D.) High School for two seasons (2013-14) and has also served as an assistant women's soccer coach at South Dakota State University. She has also coached several club teams in South Dakota since 2010.