WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Rob Humphrey was in the right place at the right time Sunday afternoon at the MSU Soccer Field as the senior midfielder scored a pair of goals to lead No. 2 Midwestern State to a 2-0 win over Incarnate Word.

"This was a big win for us," Humphrey said. "We considered each game this weekend as a playoff game. We went in with the mindset we had to win."

Incarnate Word, which dropped to 6-3, seemed to fall flat after scoring a big NCAA Division II South Central Region win over West Texas A&M Friday night in Canyon.

"I think they were a little spent after making the long road trip," MSU coach Doug Elder said. "But we didn't give them many good opportunities."

The Mustangs doubled up the Cardinals 16-8 in shots and 10-2 in shots on goals, but it was Humphrey that game MSU control of the game early on.

Humphrey redirected Nick Auditore's shot near the touchline in the 25th minute to give the Mustangs the early advantage.

"We got a fast break and it ended up wide," Humphrey said. "I was hoping for a sniffer goal or a rebound and I just ended up in the right place at the right time."

Humphrey added a second goal when freshman Craig Sutherland ran with a turnover near the midline into the box and served a pass to a cutting Humphrey on the right wing.

Humphrey tucked the ball inside the near post to beat Incarnate Word keeper Gil Ben Nachum.

Ben Nachum made eight saves to keep the match close in the first half, but was forced to leave with an apparent rib injury in the 82nd minute.

The Mustangs defense combined for its second-straight shutout and fourth of the season.

"I was worried about our intensity after Friday," Elder said. "We're starting to learn to play together better and we've shored up a lot defensively."

The Mustangs held off a furious Incarnate Word rally in the closing minutes after senior forward Kyle Kmiec was sent off with a red card at the 82:47 mark.

The win marks the first victory over the Cardinals at the MSU Soccer Field since 1998. The Mustangs were 0-3-3 against Incarnate Word over the past nine seasons.

Midwestern State opens Southwest Soccer Conference play Friday afternoon at Northeastern State. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.