THE RUNDOWN
DALLAS – No. 6 Midwestern State trounced Dallas Baptist from the outset in a 4-0 rout of the Patriots in Dallas on Thursday. The Mustangs (14-1-1, 11-1-1 HC) can clinch their third-straight Heartland Conference championship with a win, tie or West Texas A&M loss or tie on Saturday.
 
Rory O'Keeffe scored a first half goal before a strong second half allowed MSU Texas to cruise to victory. Carlos Flores, Connor Cesar and Bryan Ordonez added second half goals to pull away.
 
O'Keeffe staked the Mustangs a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute after MSU Texas drew a foul in the box. The Irishman buried his team-leading sixth goal of the year on his fifth penalty kick, the second most in single season history.
 
Shortly into the second half, Erwin Regules brought the ball down the left wing before crossing the ball to the far post, finding the foot of a leaping Carlos Flores. The sophomore drilled the shot past a diving Luis Murillo to stake the Maroon and Gold to a 2-0 edge.
 
Connor Cesar and Bryan Ordonez added a pair of goals in the final 20 minutes of action. Juan Ramirez picked up his team-leading fourth assist of the year on the Mustangs' final goal in the 89^th minute.
 
Sophomore keeper Taylor Lampe made three saves as the MSU Texas back line allowed eight shots to the Patriots, earning his sixth clean sheet of the season.
 
MATCH NOTES
- Midwestern State improved to 17-0-2 all-time against Dallas Baptist behind a 4-0 win on the road Thursday evening
- MSU Texas remained unbeaten in the last 18 road and neutral site contests, going 17-0-1 during that stretch
- The Mustangs lead West Texas A&M, 31-28, for the top spot in the Heartland Conference standings
- The Maroon and Gold can clinch their third-straight Heartland Conference championship with a win or a tie against Oklahoma Christian on Saturday
- MSU Texas matched the 2017 team, converting on its sixth penalty kick of the season when junior Rory O'Keeffe scored in the sixth minute
- O'Keeffe's goal at the 5:45 mark in the first half is the fastest the Mustangs have scored this season
 
UP NEXT
The Mustangs are back in action on Saturday, Oct. 27, against Oklahoma Christian in the regular season finale. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at Stang Park.