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SelenaWashburn
SMSU Athletic Communications

Women's Soccer

Mustang soccer looks to bounce back with start of conference play

THIS WEEK 
  • The Southwest Minnesota State University women's soccer team (0-4) hosts Wayne State (1-2-1) on Friday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. to begin conference play.  
LAST WEEK 
  • The Mustangs finished their non-conference schedule last weekend with a pair of matches against Washburn (Kan.) and Fort Hays State (Kan.).
  • WU's first goal happened from a perfectly placed through ball to their forward who found the back of the net. The Ichabods would go into halftime with a 1-0 lead over SMSU. The Ichabods found the back of the net again in the second half to extend their lead to 2-0. The Ichabods' defense prevented any offensive chances from the Mustangs until the 80th minute when the Mustangs would get their first shot on goal.
  • The Tigers came out swinging in the first half earning four corner kicks in the early parts of the game, which led to Chaney finding Arneson's head to score the first goal for FHSU.  Nine minutes later, the Mustangs would net their first goal of the season, with Haley Mason placing the ball in the top left corner to tie the game going into halftime. Fort Hays State would bury its second goal from a corner kick in the first five minutes of the second half. The Tigers found the back of the net with three minutes remaining to put the game out of reach. 
ABOUT SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE  
  • The Mustangs are 0-4 after week two.
  • Haley Mason led the team offensively with one goal. Malorie Maderak supported the offense with three shots and two on goal.
  • Illjana Arbaugh has held down the defense recording 133 minutes in the backline.
  • Rachel Hicks and Stella Litzen each started a game in net for SMSU this past weekend, combining for seven saves and five goals against. 
SERIES HISTORY 
  • SMSU and Wayne State meet for the 33rd time in program history with the Mustangs holding a 16-12-4 advantage over the Wildcats.
  • The two teams last played on Sept. 17, 2023, with Wayne State earning a 1-0 victory in Wayne, Neb.
  • SMSU's last victory in the series happened in Marshall on Sept. 22, 2019, earning a 3-0 victory. 
SCOUTING WAYNE STATE 
  • Emily Hester begins her fourth season as the head coach of Wayne State.
  • The Wildcats are 1-2-1 overall following a 1-0 loss at Washburn this past Sunday. 
  • WSC was picked to finish 11th in the NSIC preseason poll, after finishing last season 7-8-3 overall and 5-6-3 in conference play.
  • Maia Vacks leads the Wildcats with one goal and one assist while recording eight shots with three being on target.   
SMSU PICKED 10TH IN NSIC PRESEASON POLL  
  • SMSU was selected 10th in the 15-team NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
  • Mustang sophomore midfielder Trinity Reagan and sophomore defender Illjana Arbaugh were both named 'Players to Watch' in 2024.  
SEASON OPENERS  
  • SMSU is 6-21-1 all-time in season openers following last Friday's loss versus West Florida.
  • SMSU's last season-opening victory came in 2021 with a 1-0 win at Black Hills State.  
MUSTANG HISTORY  
  • SMSU is in its 29th season of soccer in 2024 and 28th season of competition (2020 was canceled).
  • SMSU has compiled an all-time record of 163-300-37, including 118-170-24 in NSIC games.
  • SMSU has made 14 NSIC tournaments and played in the region championship of the NCAA Tournament in 2013.
  • SMSU has recorded four winning seasons in program history with the last coming in 2019.  
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Players Mentioned

Illjana Arbaugh

#6 Illjana Arbaugh

D
5' 9"
Sophomore
Rachel Hicks

#1 Rachel Hicks

GK
5' 6"
Senior
Malorie Maderak

#4 Malorie Maderak

MF
5' 6"
Sophomore
Haley Mason

#2 Haley Mason

F
5' 2"
Senior
Trinity Reagan

#22 Trinity Reagan

MF
5' 3"
Sophomore
Stella Litzen

#00 Stella Litzen

GK
5' 7"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Illjana Arbaugh

#6 Illjana Arbaugh

5' 9"
Sophomore
D
Rachel Hicks

#1 Rachel Hicks

5' 6"
Senior
GK
Malorie Maderak

#4 Malorie Maderak

5' 6"
Sophomore
MF
Haley Mason

#2 Haley Mason

5' 2"
Senior
F
Trinity Reagan

#22 Trinity Reagan

5' 3"
Sophomore
MF
Stella Litzen

#00 Stella Litzen

5' 7"
Freshman
GK