THE RUNDOWN
WICHITA FALLS – No. 3 Midwestern State extended its unbeaten streak to 19 matches advancing to the Heartland Conference Tournament championship game for the second-straight season with a 2-1 win over Texas A&M International Friday night at Stang Park.
 
The Mustangs meet rival St. Edward's Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. after the Hilltoppers cruised to a 6-1 semifinal win over St. Mary's (Texas) earlier in the afternoon.
 
Senior Laurence Chamberlain's second goal of the season gave the Mustangs momentum and first blood in the 51st minute.
 
"We were fortunate to create a corner," Chamberlain said. "Sebastian spun a good ball in and I was lucky enough to put my head on it and get it into the net."
 
Chamberlain's header came from 15 yards out beating TAMIU keeper Carlos Herrera to the near post, but the Dustdevils weren't ready to go away.
 
Rodriguez Zuniga struck for the equalizer when he redirected Michael Iskander low drive in the center of the box into the net in the 69th minute.
 
"We knew it was going to be a hard-fought match," MSU coach Doug Elder said. "It was a bit of a chippy game but it usually is when we meet. We're just happy to get the win and move on to Sunday."
 
The teams combined for 29 foul calls, but it was Texas A&M International that appeared unravel as Aaron Zuniga drew an ejection in the 81st minute as one of five bookings for the Dustdevils.
 
TAMIU's goal also lit a fire under the Mustangs.
 
"It sparked us to be a little more aggressive and a little angrier," Chamberlain said. "That allowed us to finish the game off."
 
Sophomore midfielder Saad Acheampong drew a controversial foul in the box to draw a penalty kick in the 82nd minute allowing Patrick Fitzgerald to bury the game winner in the lower left corner of the net.
 
The Mustangs improved to 17-0-2 on the season, while Texas A&M International finishes at 10-5-3.
 
NOTES
- Senior Laurence Chamberlain tallied his second goal of the season and first scoring against Fort Hays State on Sept. 9th. It was his sixth career goal.
- Junior defender Patrick Fitzgerald is a perfect 4-for-4 on penalty kicks this season.
- Redshirt-freshman Taylor Lampe let in a goal in consecutive matches for the first time this season. The Mansfield, Texas native has permitted just three goals in 790 minutes between the posts this season for a 0.34 goals against average.
- The Mustangs matched the third longest overall unbeaten streak in program history at 19 matches. MSU was unblemished in 26 consecutive games stretcher of the 2001 and 2002 seasons, 21 games in 2010 and 19 over the 2006 and 2007 campaigns.
- Midwestern has won its last six matches after splitting two of three matches in the middle of the season against Lubbock Christian and Rogers State. The Mustangs opened the season with 10-straight wins.
- The Mustangs look avenge last season's 2-0 loss to St. Edward's in the 2016 Heartland Conference Postseason Tournament final.
 
UP NEXT
Midwestern State battles St. Edward's for the 2017 Heartland Conference Postseason Tournament Championship Sunday afternoon at Stang Park. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.