WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Home couldn't be a better place for No. 22 Midwestern State to make a push for its sixth consecutive NCAA Division II playoff berth.
 
But the Mustangs face a pair of tough challenges this weekend beginning with Friday night's tussle with Northeastern State. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
 
"We need to find our rhythm and find our confidence," MSU coach Doug Elder said. "This is a great chance to see a battle between two teams battling for a playoff spot. This will be a physical match between teams moving the ball up and down the field."
 
A win over Northeastern State is crucial for the Mustangs, who are battling the RiverHawks and Texas A&M International for the second and final spot in next month's South Central Regionals.
 
The RiverHawks (7-1-2) dropped from No. 15 to out of the NSCAA Division II Top 25 after suffering through a tough home stretch last weekend in Tahlequah.
 
Incarnate Word's Abraham Campos took advantage of strong winds to float in a shot from 40 yards out and the Cardinals made it stand up for a 1-0 Friday night at the NSU Soccer Field which was the first defeat on the RiverHawks' ledger this fall.
 
Northeastern State then battled St. Edward's (Texas) to a 2-2 draw Sunday afternoon.
 
"They play pretty direct and have a quite a few guys back from last year," Elder said. "They are defensively sound and are creative and dangerous up front with good finishers. They are playing with a lot of confidence."
 
The RiverHawks are led by senior forward Andre Hernandez with five goals and one assists, while freshman forward Juan Peralta adds four goals. Freshman midfielder Josue Morales and sophomore midfielder Juan Gonzalez are NSU's top playmakers with three assists each.
 
Northeastern State scores 2.30 goals per season and allows 0.80 goals per season.
 
Midwestern State is looking to rebound from dropping consecutive matches for the first time since 2005 as the Mustangs fell to Eastern New Mexico and West Texas A&M last weekend.
 
"We're better than what we've played and that's the good news," Elder said.
 
MSU had allowed two goals in eight matches heading into last weekend, and then allowed five in two games.
 
The Mustangs are led by senior midfielder Chris Dwyer with six goals, while senior center back Ryan Spence adds four goals and sophomore forward VcMor Eligwe has three goals and three assists.
 
Fourteen different players have tallied goals for MSU which averages 2.70 per contest while allowing 0.70.
 
Midwestern State completes its weekend home stand with a game against Newman (Kan.) Sunday afternoon at the MSU Soccer Field.