Midwestern State (0-0) vs. New Mexico Highlands (0-0)
Thursday, Aug. 30 | 5 p.m.
Stang Park | Wichita Falls, Texas
Live Stats: MSUMustangs.com | Watch: Mustangs Digital Network
Series History: MSU Texas leads 2-0-1 | Last Meeting: 0-0 draw at NMHU on Sept. 5, 2016
Trend: Return 13 players from last season's 3-11-2 squad
Player to Watch: So., F Breanna Fatten (3 Goals)
 
Midwestern State (0-0) vs. Fort Lewis (0-0)
Sunday, Sept. 2 | 11 a.m.
ASU Soccer Field | San Angelo, Texas
Live Stats: MSUMustangs.com | Watch: AngeloSports.com
Series History: Tied 4-4-2 | Last Meeting: 1-0 win at home on Sept. 11, 2016
Trend: Return 16 players and two starters from last season's 4-11-1 squad
Player to Watch: Jr., MF Emma Patron (4 Goals, 1 Assist, 15 starts)
 
WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Midwestern State kicks off the 2018 campaign with a pair of contests against foes from the RMAC on Thursday and Sunday. First year coach Ryan Spence makes his home debut Aug. 30 against New Mexico Highlands at 5 p.m. at Stang Park.

Following the home opener, the Mustangs travel to San Angelo for a neutral site reunion with Damian Clarke's Fort Lewis squad. Kickoff is tabbed for 11 a.m. at the ASU Soccer Field on Sunday.
 
Storylines
Prodigal Son Returns
Midwestern State welcomes home former standout Ryan Spence as he becomes the program's fifth women's soccer coach in team history.
 
In his first season as a head coach, Spence led Eastern New Mexico to a strong finish in 2017 which included a pair of victories over his alma mater including a regular season 2-1 win and 4-0 shutout in the opening round of the Lone Star Conference Postseason Tournament. He posted a 5-9-6 mark in his first season with the Greyhounds.
 
Spence enjoyed a storybook playing career as a three-time All American from 2008-11. He helped the Mustangs amass a 64-10-6 record advancing to the NCAA Division II playoffs in each of his four seasons on the field. MSU reached the Final Four in 2010 following a run to the national quarterfinals in 2008.
 
His play at center back proved key in aiding the Mustangs to top five national showing in each of his three seasons as a starter. Midwestern held the opposition to goals against averages of 0.43, 0.58 and 0.54 with 35 shutouts during the run.
 
Mustangs Picked Fourth in LSC
MSU Texas was tabbed fourth in the Lone Star Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Poll. The Mustangs received 83 points in the rankings, voted on by the league's coaches, sports information directors and media representatives.
 
West Texas A&M led the way with 109 points and 10 first-place votes to top the preseason poll, followed closely by Texas A&M-Commerce with 99 points and two first-place votes and Angelo State with 96 points and five first-place nods. Following the Mustangs in the poll was Texas Woman's (51), Eastern New Mexico (42) and UT Permian Basin (24).
 
Luck Number Seven
The Maroon and Gold return seven starters and 17 letterwinners from last season's 11-8-1 squad that advanced to the NCAA DII First Round in 2017. Sophomore defender Micah Wilson earned first team All-Conference accolades last season while Kelly Cannistra, Sarah Stewart and Taylor Robinson collected All-LSC honors.
 
Roster Breakdown
Seniors (2) – Brandy Villasana, Taylor Robinson
Juniors (7) – Mallory LeDoux, Avery Lewis, Michaelann Greenfield, Brianna Manning, Sarah Stewart, Madison Davis, Imani Morlock
Sophomores (13) – Raegan Ledbetter, McKenna Williams, Kelly Cannistra, Julia Orozco, Heather Vanderloo, Caitlyn Rohleder, Tayler Schott, Adrianna Smith, Kennedy Turner, Savannah Alford, Madison Williams, Tatum Sharp, Micah Wilson
Freshmen (7) – Samantha Upton, Ariana Alonso, Emma Ortega, Avery Amador, Senna Garcia, Randi Heaton, Emma Baley
 
Keepers (3) – Raegan Ledbetter, McKenna Williams, Samantha Upton
Defenders (10) – Ariana Alonso, Heather Vanderloo, Caitlyn Rohleder, Sarah Stewart, Imani Morlock, Adrianna Smith, Kennedy Turner, Savannah Alford, Micah Wilson, Emma Baley
Midfielders (13) – Emma Ortega, Mallory LeDoux, Avery Amador, Kelly Cannistra, Julia Orozco, Michaelann Greenfield, Brandy Villasana, Senna Garcia, Madison Davis, Taylor Robinson, Madison Williams, Randi Heaton, Tatum Sharp
Forwards (3) – Avery Lewis, Brianna Manning, Tayler Schott
 
Newcomers
Along with the slew of returners, the Mustangs welcomed seven new faces to the program this offseason. Samantha Upton, Avery Amador, Senna Garcia, Randi Heaton and Emma Baley get their first taste of college experience as true freshmen. Brianna Manning transferred into MSU Texas after playing at Bellevue College last season while Tayler Schott joins the Maroon and Gold after spending a season at Texas A&M International.
 
Up Next
MSU Texas travels to Edmond, Okla., on Wednesday, Sept. 5 for a midweek matchup at Central Oklahoma. Kickoff against the Bronchos is tabbed for 7 p.m. at Tom Thompson Soccer Field.