THIS WEEK
The Southwest Minnesota State University women's soccer team (2-10-3, 2-8-2 NSIC) returns home for its final two home matches of the 2026 regular season, hosting a pair of NSIC opponents.
The Mustangs welcome Concordia-St. Paul to Mattke Field at the Schwan Regional Event Center on Friday, Oct. 23, at 5 p.m. before hosting Winona State on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m.
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS
The Mustangs went 0-2 on the road last weekend, falling 2-0 to UMary on Friday before dropping a 5-0 decision to Minot State on Sunday.
UMary scored twice in the opening 13 minutes to take control of Friday's match. Sophomore goalkeeper Kennady Krebs made eight saves for SMSU as the Marauders finished with 23 shots, including 10 on goal.
The Mustangs then faced Minot State on Sunday, with the Beavers scoring once in the first half before adding four goals after the break. Minot State finished with 16 shots, including 10 on goal, while SMSU recorded six shots and four shots on goal.
2026 OUTLOOK
SMSU head coach Clay Glasgow, entering his fifth season, returns 13 letter winners from 2025 and features seven seniors, four juniors, three sophomores and five freshmen.
Junior forward Jada Backes leads the Mustangs offensively with two goals and two assists. Backes scored twice in SMSU's 2-0 victory over MSU Moorhead on Sept. 20 and has contributed to four of the team's seven goals.
Senior forward Karla Paredes-Nino has scored twice this season, including both goals in SMSU's 2-2 draw against Jamestown on Oct. 4.
Senior defenders Illjana Arbaugh and Abigail Schmidt have each scored once this season. The Mustangs' backline of Arbaugh, Sophia Sonnek, Janae Kayser and Jayna Benson has provided veteran leadership throughout the season.
Freshman goalkeeper Madelyn Cory and sophomore goalkeeper Kennady Krebs have split time in net. Cory, who has started nine games, has made 60 saves with a .759 save percentage. Krebs has started eight games making 42 saves.
HEAD COACH CLAY GLASGOW
Clay Glasgow is in his fifth season as head coach and has a record of 16-57-13 overall, including 15-46-9 in NSIC play. He was hired as the sixth head coach in program history on Feb. 25, 2022.
Glasgow came to SMSU after spending eight seasons (2014-21) as head women's soccer coach at Dakota Wesleyan University (S.D.), recording a mark of 49-86-5.
During his last two seasons at DWU, the Tigers amassed back-to-back winning seasons and qualified for the Great Plains Athletic Conference Tournament both seasons.
SERIES HISTORY — CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL
SMSU and CSP will meet for the 29th time on Friday, with the Golden Bears holding a 16-11-1 lead in the series.
The Mustangs have not beaten CSP since 2015, when SMSU won three straight games in the series.
Coach Glasgow holds a 0-4 record against CSP as SMSU head coach.
SCOUTING CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL
Concordia-St. Paul enters the week with a 6-3-5 overall record and a 5-3-3 mark in NSIC play. The Golden Bears earned a 2-0 victory over Minnesota Duluth on Friday, Oct. 16, before playing to a 1-1 draw against Bemidji State on Sunday.
Sophomore forward Sophia Haase scored both goals in the Golden Bears' win over Minnesota Duluth, bringing her season total to 13 goals. Haase scored in the ninth and 26th minutes to give CSP an early advantage.
Goalkeeper Sydney Potter has started in all 15 games in net for the Golden Bears, and has kept seven clean sheets with a save percentage just under 84 percent.
The Golden Bears were selected second in the 2026 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll with 204 points and three first-place votes. Head coach Steve Bellis is in his 15th season with CSP.
SERIES HISTORY — WINONA STATE
The Mustangs will face the Winona State Warriors for the 41st time on Sunday. WSU holds a 34-2-4 advantage in the series.
The Mustangs only two wins in the series have come in the last six meetings, in 2019 and 2023.
Coach Glasgow holds a 1-2-1 record against the Warriors as SMSU head coach.
SCOUTING WINONA STATE
Winona State enters the week following a pair of losses at home, falling 2-1 to Bemidji State on Friday, Oct. 16, before dropping a 3-2 decision to Minnesota Duluth on Sunday.
Groendal was recognized for her defensive contributions after appearing in 15 matches during the 2025 season. Jannisch also returned as one of the players identified to help lead the Warriors in 2026.
Junior midfielders Madison Barnick McKayla Paukner lead WSU with two goals scored each.
Winona State was selected ninth in the 2026 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Senior defender Annika Groendal and forward Kyleigh Jannisch were named the Warriors' Players to Watch. Head coach Delaney Marier is in her third season for WSU in 2026.
SMSU PICKED 13TH IN NSIC PRESEASON POLL
SMSU was selected 13th in the 16-team NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
NSIC regular season and tournament champion Minnesota State was selected as the favorite to win the conference again, receiving 13 first-place votes and 223 points.
Concordia-St. Paul finished second with 204 points and three first-place votes, followed by Bemidji State with 193 points, Augustana with 174 points and St. Cloud State with 164 points.
SMSU's 13th-place selection came with 46 points.
Junior forward Jada Backes and senior defender Sophia Sonnek were both named Players to Watch in the preseason poll.
MUSTANG HISTORY
SMSU is in its 31st season of soccer in 2026 and 30th season of competition (2020 was canceled).
The Mustangs have compiled an all-time record of 170-335-41, including 124-201-28 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.
