WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Midwestern State got exactly what it needed in Friday night's Highway 287 Cup Challenge contest against West Texas A&M.
 
Plain and simple, the Mustangs needed the win and that's what it got as Callie Briseno and Destinee Williamson tallied second half goal for a 2-1 result of the rival Lady Buffs.
 
True, it was a lift for Midwestern in the series because it drew the Mustangs to within 5-2 with its other victory coming from the men's soccer team.
 
"It's a fun rivalry," MSU coach Damian Clarke agreed. "Both teams were excellent, but we were just a little better in the final third tonight."
 
Better meant improving on MSU's postseason chances as the Mustangs pulled ahead of Texas Woman's for the fourth and final LSC Postseason Tournament berth with a 11 points at 3-3-2.
 
"I don't think you would know by watching these teams tonight that these were the two on the bottom of the standings at this point," Clarke said. "There is just so much parity that you just have to say, 'hooray,' whenever you can get a win."
 
Junior midfielder Morgan Hannon had everything to do with the Mustangs jumping out in front in the 60th minute. The Midland native ripped a shot from the top of the box which just eluded the grasp of WT goalkeeper Nicole Kemper.
 
Kemper managed to parry the shot to her right, but the opportunistic Callie Briseno raced to the ball to deposit her third goal in as many matches.
 
Six minutes later sophomore defender Haley Britton played a ball forward which was headed on by junior striker Ashley Cottrell. True freshman Destinee Williamson ran on to the ball and ripped it into goal for her team-best eighth tally of the season in the 66th minute to give MSU a 2-0 edge.
 
"Destinee does a good job of staying dangerous," Clarke said. "Callie has found great moments to be up. Once again, she hunted a big goal for us and I am so proud of her."
 
West Texas A&M just wouldn't go away as the Lady Buffs controlled an 11-6 shot edge in the second half and managed to pull within a goal on Jessie Thomas' fifth strike of the season in the 67th minute.
 
But the Mustangs used a strong defensive effort from the back line of Alexandria Edwards, Katie Huff, Dakota Baze and Britton who played the whole 90 minutes.
 
Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Courtney Burnette made four saves to improve for her eighth win of the season.
 
"The back four did an exceptional job tonight and this was just a great team effort," Clarke said.
 
Midwestern State (8-3-5) takes on Eastern New Mexico Sunday afternoon at the MSU Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
 
West Texas A&M dropped to 6-9 and 2-5.