DULUTH, Minn. – Meghan Harkin denied a penalty kick in the 76^th minute to help boost the Southwest Minnesota State women's soccer team over Minnesota Duluth 2-1 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action on Sunday afternoon.
 
SMSU, which is now 2-5-1 overall, 1-4-1 NSIC, got the offense started early, as Abbey Hoisington netted the opener 40 seconds into the game off a passing display by Kirsten Wetterstrom, Laney Brill, and Alex Lotts. 
 
Ten minutes later, Lotts would pop a pass off a goal kick over the defense, leading Wetterstrom to an open run at the goal before netting a shot from nearly 15 yards out to give the Mustangs a 2-0 lead.  
 
UMD (0-8-1, 0-5-1 NSIC) would cut the deficit in half in the 65^th minute to keep the Bulldogs close, but it wouldn't be enough to get past the Mustangs.
 
Harkin would end up making four saves on the day. Lotts and Hoisington would lead the way offensively, each tallying two shots on net, while Lotts would collect a pair of assists. 

UMD would outshoot SMSU 15-8, With SMSU taking six shots on net compared to five from UMD 
 
Southwest Minnesota State returns home for homecoming weekend, facing Wayne State on Friday, Oct 8 at 3 p.m., before taking on Augustana Sunday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m.