MSU MEN'S SOCCER WEEKLY

Midwestern State goes for its first Lone Star Conference against a pair of rivals this weekend at the MSU Soccer Field.

The Mustangs battle West Texas A&M Friday night at 7:30 p.m. before taking on Eastern New Mexico for Senior Day Sunday afternoon at 1.
 

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MSU FAST FIVE

MUSTANGS OUT OF RANKINGS: Midwestern State needs wins and maybe a little bit of help to extend its string of NCAA Division II postseason appearances to seven seasons. The Mustangs slipped out of the South Central Region rankings after battling Incarnate Word to a 1-1 draw last Friday in San Antonio. MSU is currently behind Regis (Colo.), Incarnate Word, West Texas A&M, Colorado Mines and Eastern New Mexico but play two of those teams at home this weekend. MSU has spent the last two weeks out of the NSCAA Division II Top 25. It's the first time since 2005 that the Mustangs have had greater than a one-week absence from the national rankings.

SNAPPING STREAKS: Midwestern State gained revenge of sorts by snapping Incarnate Word's 11-match winning streak with a 1-1 draw last Friday in San Antonio. The Cardinals ended the Mustangs' 48-match unbeaten streak at the MSU Soccer Field earlier this season taking a 3-2 result in double overtime.

MSU HAS NOT TRAILED IN REGULATION IN 2012: MSU has yet trail in regulation play this season as it has settled for two scoreless ties and held leads in draws against Northeastern State (2-2), Eastern New Mexico (1-1) and Incarnate Word (1-1). The Mustangs also held leads in its only losses against Incarnate Word and West Texas A&M before surrendering equalizing and golden goals to take negative results in overtime. MSU is 1-2-4 in seven overtime performances this season with its other draw coming in scoreless match at St. Edward's which was called in the 71st minute due to heavy rain. MSU's five draws this season are the most in program history upping the previous high of four set in 2002.

LET IN IN SEVEN STRAIGHT: MSU has allowed goals in seven consecutive matches which is the longest stretch without a shutout since the 2005 squad let in goals in 11 consecutive matches from Sep. 2-Oct. 16.

MUSTANGS AMONG LSC LEADERS: Sophomore forward Len Smith gave the Mustangs a 1-0 lead with a goal in the 60th minute Friday night at Incarnate Word. Smith has tallied each of MSU's three goals against the Cardinals this season. Smith ranks third in the Lone Star Conference and leads MSU with nine goals this season. Junior forward VcMor Eligwe rates fourth in the LSC with seven goals. Sophomore midfielder Andrew Power boasts the second most assists in the LSC with six. Junior goalkeeper Ray Clark tops the LSC in goals against average (0.90), saves (42), saves per game (3.82) and is second with four shutouts. Midwestern needs two wins to post 10 wins for the 14th consecutive season.
 

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SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION

WEST TEXAS A&M
// Friday, 11.02.2012 // 7:30 p.m. // MSU Soccer Field // Wichita Falls, Texas
Live Stats  |  No Video Streaming

West Texas A&M (11-3-2) dropped two of its last three taking negative home results to Incarnate Word and Eastern New Mexico, but are 5-1-2 playing outside of Canyon this season. Senior midfielder Dominic Furness leads the Buffs' attack with 18 goals and five assists this season with support from senior defender Colin Bjostad (5 goals, 3 assists) and sophomore forward Wayne Bruton (3 goals, 1 assist). Primary goalkeeper William Cooper allows a 1.18 goals against average with a .729 save percentage while posting three clean sheets. The Buffs score 3.08 goals per game and allow 1.23.

Previous Meeting: West Texas A&M's Colin Bjostad back heeled a ball into the net for the game winner in the 103rd minute to lift the Buffs to a 2-1 win over Midwestern State on Oct. 21 in Canyon. MSU's Ben Clarvis floated a ball on the wind to give the Mustangs an early advantage but WT countered with a goal in the 65th minute by Wayne Bruton.

All-Time Series: Midwestern State leads 24-16-3.
 

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EASTERN NEW MEXICO
// Sunday, 11.04.2012 // 1 p.m. // MSU Soccer Field // Wichita Falls, Texas
Live Stats  |  No Video Streaming

Eastern New Mexico (10-5-1) is 4-1-1 over its last six outings including wins over a pair of nationally ranked sides in Fort Hays State and West Texas A&M -- both on the road. The Greyhounds battle Incarnate Word Friday night in San Antonio before making the trek to Wichita Falls. ENMU's balanced attack has found the back of the 40 times this season as five different players have tallied at least five goals including senior forward Diego Santos (7 goals, 4 assists), junior midfielder Cantu Palombo (6 goals, 5 assists), sophomore midfielder Carlos Viveros (6 goals, 3 assists), senior defender Michael Stewart (5 goals, 4 assists), sophomore forward Abayneh Crosby (5 goals, 3 assists) and junior midfielder Eishu Kenemitsu (5 goals, 3 assists). Primary goalkeeper Fredrik Widfeldt allows a 0.94 goals against average with a .740 save percentage. He has posted three shutouts this season.

Previous Meeting: Midwestern State and Eastern New Mexico played to a 1-1 draw on Oct. 19 in Portales. Sophomore midfielder Andrew Power put MSU in front with his third goal of the season in the 50th minute before ENMU's Eishu Kanamitsu scored the equalizer in the 78th minute.

All-Time Series: Midwestern State leads 16-1-1.