THE RUNDOWN
WICHITA FALLS – Sophomore Ariel Lopez delivered two goals in the second half to lead Eastern New Mexico to a 2-1 upset win over No. 16 Midwestern State Friday night at Stang Park.
 
With the loss, the Mustangs (11-5-1, 6-4-1 LSC) fall into third place in the Lone Star Conference race with 19 points behind Angelo State (9-1-1, 28 points) and Texas A&M-Commerce (7-3-1, 21 points).
 
MSU can claim the No. 2 seed in next week's LSC Postseason Tournament with a win over West Texas A&M and if Texas A&M-Commerce falls at Angelo State, who clinched an outright league title with a 1-0 win over Texas Woman's Friday night. If the Mustangs and Texas A&M-Commerce each win Saturday, MSU will be the No. 3 seed.
 
Midwestern will fall to the No. 4 seed with a loss to West Texas A&M on Sunday.
 
For the second consecutive match, the Mustangs seized early control of the match by drawing first blood. Sophomore Hanna Mattinson headed in her third goal of the season off of Kelly Cannistra's corner kick in the 14th minute.
 
But Lopez got it going in the second half producing her first multiple-goal performance of the season. The Hobbs, N.M. native has scored goals in her last three outing to up her season total to seven.
 
Lopez took a pass from Victoria Nunez in the 47th minute and ripped it to the upper left-hand corner of the net for the equalizer. In the 60th minute, she converted a direct free kick just outside of the top of the box to produce the Hounds' first advantage.
 
Junior goalkeeper Alejandra Camarillo made seven saves including back-to-back denials of Mattinson and Kelly Cannistra to snuff out a brilliant MSU scoring opportunity in the 76th minute.
 
Eastern New Mexico improved to 4-8-6 overall and to 3-5-4 in LSC play.
 
NOTES
- Midwestern State can clinch a bye into the semifinal round of the LSC Postseason Tournament with a win over West Texas A&M on Sunday AND if Angelo State defeats Texas A&M-Commerce.
- If Texas A&M-Commerce wins or draws with Angelo State, Midwestern State will play a quarterfinal match with an opponent to be determined Wednesday at Stang Park.
- Sophomore Hanna Mattinson notched her third goal of the season and first since scoring the game winner at St. Edward's (Texas) on Oct. 4.
- Sophomore Kelly Cannistra notched her fifth assist of the season and stands second in the team in the catetory to senior Destinee Williamson. It was Cannistra's first assist since going for a goal and two assists in a 3-2 win over Texas Woman's on Oct. 15th. All of Cannistra's production this season (3 goals, 5 assists) has come at Stang Park.
- Midwestern State placed eight of 16 shots on frame against Eastern New Mexico. The 16 shots are tied for second most this season one off of the 17 the Mustangs took at UT Permian Basin on Oct. 20th.

UP NEXT
Midwestern State closes the regular season Sunday afternoon against rival West Texas A&M at Stang Park. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. The Mustangs will honor seniors Courtney Burnette and Destinee Williamson during pregame lineups.