MARSHALL, Minn.- Southwest Minnesota State women's soccer will kick off NSIC play in its home opener this Friday as they host the University of Sioux Falls at the Schwan Regional Event Center beginning at 4 p.m.


SMSU Quick Hits

- SMSU will open NSIC play in its home match vs. Sioux Falls and currently hold a 15-6 all-time record in conference openers 

- SMSU has won five straight matches over USF 

- The Mustangs are currently in the midst of a three-match home unbeaten streak and finished 2016 with a 4-5-1 home record 

- SMSU soccer played its first season in 1996 and holds an all-time record of 134-228-27 overall with a conference record of 92-114-19

- Head Coach Erin Kasmarik-Mallett enters her third season with the Mustangs and has a career record of 14-22-3 

- The NSIC has expanded its viewing options this year and made live streams avaiable through Roku, Fire Tv, Apple Tv, and Android Tv devices


Sioux Falls: Match Preview

    Series History

- SMSU leads the all-time series 7-5

- SMSU is 5-0 vs. USF since the Cougars joined the conference back in 2012

- The Mustangs are 4-2 in games played in Marshall

- SMSU defeated Sioux Falls, 3-2 in overtime last season in Sioux Falls, S.D.

    Sioux Falls Team Notes

- Sioux Falls opened the season with a 90th minute game winning goal to defeat Colorado College in Sioux Falls, S.D.

- The Cougars dropped their second game of the year to Northwest Missouri State, losing 2-1

- USF was picked to finish 13th in the Preseason NSIC Coaches' Poll

- USF finished 2016 with a 3-12-3 record and a 14th place finish


Conference Openers

- SMSU has won six straight conference openers including its five straight wins over Sioux Falls to begin NSIC play

- The Mustangs currently own a 15-6 all-time record in conference opening matches

- SMSU is 9-3 all-time when opening conference play at home in Marshall


Mustangs in Marshall

- SMSU is currently riding a three-match home unbeaten streak

- SMSU holds an all-time record of 31-38-5 at the Schwan Regional Event Center

- SMSU finished last season with a 4-5-1 home record and won its final two home matches of the year vs. Minnesota Duluth and Wayne State


Home Openers

- SMSU is 5-16 all-time in home openers

- The last home opening win for SMSU came in 2013 over Lindenwood (Mo.)

- The Mustangs dropped last season's home opener to Fort Hays State (Kan.), losing 3-0


Around the NSIC

- Minnesota Duluth forward, Natalie St. Martin was named NSIC Offensive Player of the week with a goal and two assists the Bulldogs' season opener

- St. Cloud State's Maria Witte was named the conference's Defensive Player of the week

- University of Mary senior, Hannah Smith was named the NSIC Goalkeeper of the week after helping the Marauders to a 1-0 start