MSU Athletics

PORTALES, N.M. -- Midwestern State struck for two second-half goals to close out its first Lone Star Conference victory by a 3-1 margin over Eastern New Mexico Friday night at the ENMU Soccer field.
 
"It was nice to get the first win. That's for sure," MSU coach Damian Clarke said. "We're bad in the first half, but we were excellent in the second half. Our two midfielders were doing a great job of dominating their three."
 
Junior Morgan Hannon and sophomore Aly Wade proved key to turning the tide in the second, but it was senior midfielder Katy Catney who allowed the Mustangs to be in the conversation following a tough first half.
 
The Wichita Falls Rider product drew a penalty in the 15th minute, but banged the PK off of ENMU goalkeeper Fabienne Wilson before collected the rebound and knocking it in for the early advantage.
 
"Katy stayed brave in the box and did a good job of drawing a penalty in the first half," Clarke said. "From that time forward, we got pounded. They kept us in our half and we didn't play well to get it out. I was happy to get out of the first half with a draw. It could have been 2-1, 3-1 easily."
 
Eastern New Mexico, which owned a 13-4 shot edge at the intermission, was only able to cash in on a miscleared corner kick serve in the 30th minute which was knocked in for the equalizer by Jenna Sievers.
 
Then the tide turned in the second half as sophomore Lizzie Navarette steadied the defense by shifting to left back.
 
"She did a very, very good job of giving us a platform to pass the ball and find our rhythm," Clarke said. "Katy (Catney) also did a great job of playing well defensively and getting into the offensive third."
 
The foundation allowed the strikers to shine in the second half.
 
Freshman Destinee Williamson worked the ball to the end line in the 75th minute before sending a cross through the box to sophomore Alyssa Parkhill, who buried the shot for her third goal of the season.
 
"We are finally recognizing when we got to those spots and put more attackers in the box, we're going to cause problems," Clarke said. "Parky and Destinee were brave in the attacking third to allow us to gain control in the second half."
 
Catney collected a loose pass in the 85th minute and served a pass to Williamson for her team-best sixth goal to put the game away.
 
Midwestern State (6-1-5, 1-1-2) takes on rival West Texas A&M Sunday afternoon in Canyon. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
 
Eastern New Mexico fell to 5-5 and 2-2.