WICHITA, Kan. -- Senior forward Len Smith scored two goal to carry 20th-ranked Midwestern State to its fourth straight win taking a 2-0 result over Newman (Kan.) Friday night at Wilkins Field.
 
"We played really well tonight," MSU coach Doug Elder said. "We're coming together a little better as a team, playing for each other and finish off the entire 90. The results are showing that, but you're only as good as the last game."
 
The Mustangs return home to face St. Mary's (Texas) at the MSU Soccer Field on Sunday. Kickoff is set for noon.
 
Smith delivered his third multiple-goal game for MSU and first since striking for two tallies in a 2-0 win over Rogers State (Okla.) on Sept. 22, 2013.
 
Nearly a year to the date later, the Baton Rouge native was again up to the task.
 
Smith went to his knees to head in a skipping cross struck by junior midfielder Ben Clarvis in the 24th minute, then smacked his second goal off of the post in the 39th minute off of an assist from sophomore Kyle Baccus.
 
"Their coach said they were a little nervous coming in playing a nationally ranked opponent," Elder said. "But they really came out fired up in the second half and made a game of it."
 
Midwestern controlled possession throughout much of the contest producing a 13-3 edge in shots.
 
"I was proud of the way our defense played tonight in being able to finish off the shutout," Elder said. "(Senior defender) Kalen Ryden really stood out, but it was a really good team effort."
 
Junior goalkeeper Nick Petolick made one save to polish off his third consecutive shutout.
 
Newman dropped its first decision of the season to fall to 4-1-1.