MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State women's soccer team kicks off the 2019 campaign hosting Black Hills State on Sunday at 1 p.m at the Schwan Regional Event Center. 

Preseason Info
•The Mustangs opened the preseason with two exhibition games going 1-1. 
•SMSU defeated Dordt College 6-0 and fell 2-1 to the College of St. Ben's. 
•Versus Dordt, Olivia Harriger, Alex Lotts, Abbey Hoisington, and Alli Miskowiec all contributed goals while SMSU's goalkeepers maintained a shutout. 
•SMSU's Jessica Jugovich scored the only Mustang goal of the exhibition against St. Ben's, with an assist from Harriger. 
•SMSU was slated at 14th in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. 
•SMSU's Hoisington and Harriger were named NSIC Players to Watch. 

Game Preview: Black Hills State
Game Time: Sunday, Sept. 8, at 1 p.m.
Head Coach: Mike Greco, third season 
2018 Record: 0-17-1 overall, 0-12-1 conference

Series History
•This will be the first meeting of the two opponents in each programs' history. 
•BHSU's inaugural season was in 2016. 

Black Hills State Notes
•Head coach, Mike Greco, has a career record 10-35-8 overall and 8-30-7 in the conference.
•BHSU will open its season at Dakota Wesleyan on Friday before facing SMSU.
•BHSU returns eight starters from a season ago and welcome seven newcomers. 
•The Yellow Jackets are led by seniors Rose Miller and Katie Nielson, both who were members of the inaugural season. 
•Nielson led the 2018 team with four goals while Miller contributed one goal and three assists. 
•Ds-Rae Jara returns between the posts after starting the first three games of the season to record 13 saves before a season ending injury. 

2019 Season Outlook 
•The 2019 campaign includes 12 new faces. 
•Sunday's home opener starts the nine-game home season. 
•SMSU opens conference play hosting Augustana on Friday, Sept. 20, at 6 p.m. at the Schwan Regional Event Center.

Between the Posts
•SMSU returns one goalkeeper from last season. 
•Junior Jenna Meyer leads the Mustang defense as a two-year veteran.
•Meyer played in nine games last season for a 2-7 record and 53 saves. 
•Meyer tied her single-game high last season with 11 saves vs. St. Cloud State.
•Mustangs also add Amanda Haimes and Taryn Sproul who will look to add some depth to the Mustang goalkeepers. 

Hoisington and Harriger: NSIC Players to Watch 
•Sophomore forward, Abbey Hoisington, was nominated as a NSIC Player to Watch. 
•Hoisington finished second on the team in both goals and assists last season as a true freshman. 
•Recorded five goals on the season and a season-high two goals vs. Minnesota Crookston on Sept. 28.
•Hoisington appeared in 15 games with 13 career starts. 
•Missed two games with an injury. 
•Junior defender, Olivia Harriger, was named a NSIC Player to Watch. 
•Harriger is a two-year starter. 
•Academic All-NSIC last season
•Appeared in 16 games with 11 starts and recorded 924 minutes. 

Mustang Returners
•Joining NSIC's Players to Watch, Abbey Hoisington and Olivia Harriger, and 2018 third team All-NSIC, Alli Miskowiec,  are 15 letter winners from last season. 
•Returning starters include Allie Cook and Kelli Wentz (who missed one game due to injury)

2018 Recap
•The 2018 Mustangs recorded the most team wins since the 2016 season. 
•All of SMSU's wins were recorded in conference to finish with four conference victories. 
•SMSU's Alli Miskowiec recorded a hat trick against Sioux Falls on Sept. 7, 2018.
•The Mustangs recorded a victory over Wayne State on Sept. 15, 2018 after a 3-0 deficit for a 4-3 victory.  
•Abbey Hoisington, Erin Fisher, and Allie Cook all contributed goals in the victory, also graduated senior Emily Hoffman. 
•SMSU recorded one shutout in a 2-0 victory over Upper Iowa on Oct. 28, 2018, to close the season. 

Next Up
•SMSU travels to William Jewell College (Mo.) for a midweek match on Thursday, Sept. 12, at 3:30 at Greene Stadium.