WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Midwestern State has been the benchmark for consistency while advancing to the NCAA Division II postseason in each of the last five seasons.

The Mustangs have averaged nearly 17 wins a season boosted by six All-America picks over that time.

But come Thursday night, none of that matters when the No. 2-ranked Mustangs play host to No. 8 Truman (Mo.) in the South Central Region final at the MSU Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

"We don't make a big deal out of a playoff game," MSU coach Doug Elder said. "We just want to keep doing things we've done all year. We just have to play soccer."

The Mustangs caught a lot of observers off guard this season with its solid play. The Mustangs rank second in NCAA Division II in scoring offense and team goals against average which shows exactly how the team recorded the program's second unbeaten season at 16-0-2.

"This team has surprised me all year," Elder said. "They've stepped up in clutch situations and taken care of business."

Eight players, led by reserve forward VcMor Eligwe; have tallied at least four goals to contribute to the team's 3.06 goals per match average.

Eligwe has notched 10 goals and five assists as one of the biggest surprises while making just one start, while junior forwards David Freeland Tex McCullough add eight and six goals each.

MSU's forward quartet of Bryce Taylor, Nathan Fitzgerald, Paulo Teixeira and Sam Broadbent has combined for 18 goals and 15 assists in MSU's broad-based attack.

All the offense stems from the Mustangs' traditional hard-nosed defensive system which features the Lone Star Conference's preseason and regular season defensive players of the year in senior goalkeeper Raul Herrera and junior center back Ryan Spence.

Both players gained All-America honors in 2009 and have helped MSU to 11 clean sheets and a 0.43 goals against average.

First-team all-league performer Dean Lovegrove is dangerous from the back row scoring two goals and tallying three assists primarily on restarts.

"We'll have to play with a little more intensity than we have the last few games," Elder said. "They are athletic, big and they work hard. It's going to be more of a 90-minute deal and we'll have to avoid playing in spurts like we have a lot this season."

Truman is led by senior forward Matt Kimball who has scored 11 goals including four game winners, while 6-4 senior midfielder Dan Meagher adds seven tallies.

Senior midfielder Bobby Larkin leads the nation with 16 assists in 15 matches.

The Bulldogs score 2.4 goals per match and allow 0.8.
  

NCAA II Men's Soccer Championship

Super Region 4

Thursday, Nov. 11 In Golden, Colo. Regis (Colo.) (14-2-4) at Colorado Mines (16-1-2), 2 p.m. In Wichita Falls, Texas Truman (Mo.) (12-2-2) at Midwestern State (16-0-2), 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 12 In Chico, Calif. Grand Canyon (Ariz.) (14-2-2) vs. Cal State-San Bernardino (13-5-1), 6 p.m. Sonoma State (Calif.) (14-5-1) at Chico State (Calif.) (13-6-0), 9 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 14 In Chico, Calif. GCU/UCSB winner vs. SSU/CSU winner, 3 p.m. To be determined CSM/RU winner vs. MSU/TSU winner, TBA