SAN ANTONIO – Midwestern State scored three goals in a two-minute span as a result of a pair of No. 21 Incarnate Word ejections as the No. 3 Mustangs claimed a 4-1 result Sunday afternoon at Benson Stadium.

"We got a few breaks today and they had some bad luck," MSU coach Doug Elder said. "You just see some strange things in soccer."

The strangeness took place after a well-played first half by each side as the teams took a 1-1 into intermission.

"They had some good possession, but we had more chances," Elder said. "We could have scored more goals, but we were creating chances we normally don't have against Incarnate Word."

The Mustangs (2-0) drew first blood in the 23rd minute as Kyle Kmiec headed in a cross from Ahmad Ihmeidan, but only held the advantage for five minutes.

MSU had to settle for a first-half draw even after outshooting the Cardinals 7-to-1.

But Dustin Lemley converted the one shot for a goal in the 28th minute.

The second half, however, was nothing but routine.

Each of Incarnate Word's two healthy goalkeepers was ejected for taking down MSU strikers in the box just 2:03 apart early in the second half.

The Cardinals were already without normal starter Gil Ben Nachum, who suffered an injury in UIW's 2-0 win over Regis (Colo.) on Friday.

Incarnate Word Ryan Eschenburg earned his red card at the 47:32 mark after taking down Midwestern State's Sutherland in the box to thwart his breakaway opportunity.

The Cardinals were forced to go a man down and entered freshman Andy Caesar in goal.

It didn't take Caesar long to obtain a booking as he was issued a caution after celebrating his save of Kmiec's penalty kick attempt immediately after entering the fray.

Then, just two minutes later Caesar was excused from the match after taking Kmiec down in the box on a breakaway, so the Cardinals were forced to play the remaining 49:35 two men and without a keeper.

The Mustangs took advantage immediately as Ahmad Ihmeidan converted the penalty kick to put MSU 2-1 before Sutherland and Rob Humphrey rattled off two more goals as the match went from a 1-1 tie to a 4-1 Mustangs' domination in just two minutes.

The teams even agreed to halt the match after 80 minutes.

"It was satisfying for the guys," Elder said. "We had a good run of play last year and got unlucky against them."

Incarnate Word handed the Mustangs two of their losses last season.

The Mustangs and Cardinals tangle again in Wichita Falls on Oct. 5.

Midwestern State faces a pair of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foes next weekend in Canyon. The Mustangs battle Colorado Mines Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. before battling Fort Lewis (Colo.) Sunday at 11 a.m.