WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Midwestern State appears to have turned the corner after a slow start this fall and ride a six-game unbeaten streak into Tuesday night's rivalry match against No. 24-ranked West Texas A&M.
 
"It's our guys figuring out the way we want them to play and doing it our way as opposed to what they want to do," MSU coach Doug Elder said. "We're working off the ball, attacking and staying organized."
 
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the MSU Soccer Field.
 
The Mustangs pulled an unlikely win out of the fire Friday night as junior midfielder Andrew Power tallied the equalizer with five minutes to play in regulation before senior forward Len Smith knocked the game winner in overtime to cinch the 5th-ranked RiverHawks first loss of the season.
 
"We played with conviction and played to win," Elder said. "Some games we've played not to lose. You can tell a difference in the focus on doing it right and creating chances."
 
The Mustangs will be searching for its third win over a ranked opponent in the last four matches which started with a 1-0 overtime win at West Texas A&M. The result was the first home loss for the Buffs who were shutout for the first time this season.
 
MSU's defensive presence has picked up despite a pesky injury bug that has kept the Mustangs searching for the right combinations in the back.
 
Sophomore Nick Petolick has solidified the goalkeeper situation by posting five shutouts and now ranks at the top of NCAA Division II with a 0.16 goals against average and a sterling .963 save percentage.
 
Junior Kalen Ryden and sophomore Javan Toledo have been mainstays at the center back positions while junior Chase Robertson and sophomore Ben Clarvis have moved in on the outside the recent loss of senior Isaac Pile to facial fracture.
 
"Injuries have plagued us and we're not razor thin in the back but the guys that we have have stepped it up," Elder said. "We're trying to find the right combinations now. We're finally starting to get some of the right combinations after having so many different players in different positions because of our injuries."
 
Smith (6 goals) and Power (4 goals) have accounted for 10 of MSU's 18 goals this season with junior Dan Johns and sophomore Idrissa Camara adding two tallies each as eight players have found the net for MSU this season.
 
West Texas A&M brings a successful five-midfielder system into the match as 13 different Buffs have scored goals this season led by senior forward Chase Withrow (6 goals, 2 assists).
 
"They play with three in the middle of the park and two out wide," Elder said. "I'm assuming they are going to come here, keep attacking and cause problems for our defense. We were really happy to get the shutout out there because they have a lot of players who can put the ball in the net."
 
Midwestern State has gotten the better of the Buffs over the past few seasons taking five of the last seven matches between the powerhouse programs.
 
Midwestern State vs. West Texas A&M
Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013 | 7 p.m.
MSU Soccer Field | Wichita Falls, Texas
Records: Midwestern State (6-3-1); West Texas A&M (9-2)
Live Video: None
Live Stats: MSUMustangs.com 
 
SCOUTING THE BUFFS
West Texas A&M recovered to win their last two matches since taking a 1-0 loss to Midwestern State earlier this month in Canyon. The Buffs hit the road to shutout Oklahoma Christian 1-0 before claiming a 4-1 win at Southern Nazarene. WT ranks third in NCAA Division II with seven shutouts this season led by sophomore goalkeeper Garrett Cooper. Cooper ranks fourth in the nation with a 0.45 goals against average and is ninth with a shutout percentage of 0.87. The Buffs also have the ability to operate with depth on the attack ranking 12th in the nation scoring 2.73 goals a game. Thirteen different players have tallied goals for WT led by senior forward Chase Withrow with six goals and two assists while sophomore midfielder George Beasley has four goals and two assists. Junior midfielder Conrod Goulbourne and junior midfielder Vitor Cardoso have each scored three goals of their own.
 
ABOUT THE MUSTANGS
Midwestern State appears to be over its slow start and has reeled off a six-game unbeaten streak while posting five shutouts. Sophomore Nick Petolick's run as the team's primary keeper coincides with the streak. The Frisco product has permitted a single goal in his 573 minutes between the posts while making 26 saves. Junior forward Len Smith notched his team leading sixth tally of the season to provide the game winner over No. 5-ranked Northeastern State Friday night in Tahlequah, while junior midfielder Andrew Power went to his back side to get the equalizer in the 85th minute of play for his fourth goal of the season. Sophomore Idrissa Camara and junior Dan Johns also have two goals each for the Mustangs.
 
ABOUT THE SERIES
Midwestern State meets West Texas A&M for the 47th time on the pitch Tuesday night at the MSU Soccer Field. The Mustangs hold a 26-17-3 advantage in the series that dates back to 1975 and are 15-7-1 against WT all time in Wichita Falls. MSU has claimed wins in five of the last seven meetings, but the programs split matches in each of the last two seasons with the home team claiming the result. West Texas A&M's last win at the MSU Soccer Field came in the 2007 regular season finale.
 
ABOUT THE FIRST UNITED BANK HIGHWAY 287 CHALLENGE CUP
Midwestern State and West Texas A&M tipped off an institutional competition between the two rivals earlier this fall. Each victory in the regular season and championships for the sports of volleyball, football, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's basketball and softball contribute to the point total as well as the LSC Championship events for cross country and men's and women's golf. WT claimed the first Challenge Cup event claiming volleyball victory last month.
 
MIDWESTERN IN NATIONAL STATISTICAL RANKINGS
Sophomore goalkeeper Nick Petolick leads NCAA Division II in goals against average (0.16) and save percentage (.963) while ranking 76th in saves per game (4.33). Junior Chase Robertson is 31st in assists per game (0.50) and 63rd in total assists (4.0). Junior forward Len Smith ranks 63rd in total goals (6.0), 64th in goals per game (0.6), 81st in points per game (1.3) and 96th in total points (13.0).
 
ELDER WINS 200TH
Midwestern State coach Doug Elder became the second coach in program history to amass 200 wins when the Mustangs pulled out a 2-1 win over Northeastern State Friday night in Tahlequah. In his 14 seasons at the helm at MSU, Elder rates amongst the winningest coaches in the history collegiate soccer amassing a 200-46-25 mark good for a .784 winning percentage. Elder joined the legendary Howard Patterson in the exclusive 200-win Club. Patterson rolled up 221 victories as Midwestern's head coach from 1973-89.
 
THE MUSTANGS WITH PETOLICK IN GOAL
Sophomore goalkeeper Nick Petolick did not allow a goal in any of his first five matches and had a 528:31 scoreless streak snapped when Northeastern State's back-heeled a shot into goal in the 52nd minute Friday night in Tahlequah. The Mustangs had allowed seven goals in four matches before Petolick took over primary duties last month prior to the Rogers State match. MSU is now 5-0-1 with Petolick in goal.