MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State women's soccer team begins the 2018 season on the road in Fayette, Iowa, as it faces Washburn (Kan.) on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. and close the weekend facing Fort Hays State (Kan.) on Saturday at 12 p.m.
 
The Mustangs enter the 2018 season 1-1-1 in preseason exhibition play. Junior forward Alli Miskowiec scored a hat trick to lead the Mustangs to victory in their first exhibition match against Dakota Wesleyan. The Mustangs went on to host the College of Saint Benedict where the teams tied 0-0 after three, 30-minute periods. In the Mustangs final exhibition match of the preseason, freshman Katie East scored a goal in the last ten minutes although the Mustangs fell to Gustavus 2-1.
 
The Mustangs return four veteran seniors including Emily Hofmann who started 13 of the games last season. Senior Morgan Darner and junior Alli Miskowiec were both named NSIC preseason players to watch. Darner started every game the past two years and  is also a two-time Academic All-NSIC honoree. Miskowiec is the team's top returner scorer from last season.
 
Head coach for the Mustangs, Erin Kasmarik-Mallett looks to improve the Mustangs record in her fourth season as head coach. The Mustangs finished 1-16 overall and 1-14 in the conference.
 
Opponents at a glance
WASHBURN - SMSU will open its season against Washburn (Kan.) on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. Washburn, a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, finished 10-9-1 overall, and 5-6-0 in the conference. The Ichabod's are ranked seventh in the MIAA Preseason coaches' poll as they finished sixth in their conference last season. They return 14 letterwinners, including seven seniors and five All-MIAA team honorees.
 
Series History
Washburn leads 3-1-1 in a series that began on Sept. 5, 2004. Starting in 2015, the teams have played three consecutive years and have tied one game, and each won one. The Mustangs lost 2-0 in the last matchup in 2017.
 
FORT HAYS – On Saturday, SMSU will take on Fort Hays State (Kan.) at 12 p.m. to conclude their weekend play. The Tigers are also a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association and finished 10-6-4 overall and 7-3-1 in the MIAA. The Tigers advance to the MIAA conference semifinals last season but lost to the eventual national champions, Central Missouri.
 
Series History
The Mustangs trail the series 4-1 after five consecutive years. The Mustangs win came from the series opener on Sept. 6, 2013 in which the Mustangs won 1-0.