WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Midwestern State fired in a pair of rapid fire goals in the first half then hung on for a 2-1 win over 15th-ranked West Texas A&M Tuesday night at the MSU Soccer Field.
 
"It was the usual WT/Midwestern brawl on the field," MSU coach Doug Elder said. "Any time you get a win over that team, it's a big deal. Now, we have another big test in front of us on Saturday."
 
The result extended MSU's unbeaten streak to seven games as the Mustangs improved to 7-3-1 on the season. It was their third straight win over a ranked opponent -- all in the last four games.
 
Midwestern now heads to Austin to take on No. 4-ranked St. Edward's (Texas) Saturday at Lewis-Chen Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. The Hilltoppers claimed a 2-1 overtime win over the Mustangs last month in Wichita Falls. MSU hasn't lost since.
 
The Mustangs jumped all over West Texas A&M early.
 
Junior defender Chase Robertson grasped control of a loose ball on the run near the center line, traveled and blasted a shot just under the crossbar from 30 yards out to give the Mustangs a quick 1-0 lead in the 20th minute.
 
A mere 67 seconds later, sophomore defender Javan Toledo led junior forward Dan Johns with a through ball down the right wing. Johns made a quick touch in the box then beat WT goalkeeper Garrett Cooper with a hard shot to the far post for a commanding two-goal lead just over 21 minutes into the match.
 
"After we scored our two goals, they really took it to us for a little bit. I think we thought it was over and let them have a few chances," Elder said.
 
The Buffs took advantage of a couple of MSU miscues in their offensive third as Vitor Cardoso worked his way free to beat MSU goalkeeper Nick Petolick from close range to pull West Texas A&M back into arm's length in the 34th minute.
 
The teams would exchange salvos for the remainder of the match with WT holding a slim 15-14 shot advantage in a closely matched contest.
 
"They expended a lot of energy trying to come back from an early two-goal deficit. You have to give credit to them. They never started pressing, never hung their heads and never gave up. They just went at us for 90 minutes," Elder said. "We responded well in the second half and played better defensively. We didn't give them a whole lot after intermission."
 
The Mustangs current run of wins against nationally ranked opponents started with a 1-0 win in overtime at then-No. 12 West Texas A&M. MSU followed with a 2-1 decision over No. 5 Northeastern State before beating the Buffs again Tuesday night.
 
West Texas A&M fell to 9-3 on the season.