Midwestern State vs No. 10 University of Central Oklahoma
Saturday, Sept 4 – 7 p.m.
Tom Thompson Soccer Field (Edmond, Okla.)
All-Time Series: UCO leads 17-6
Video | Live Stats
 
EDMOND, Okla. -- Midwestern State will have a tough battle ahead of the Saturday night game at No. 10 University of Central Oklahoma. After scoring three in their previous game, the Mustangs will look to put more past the Broncos. Kick off is set for 7 p.m. at the Tom Thompson Soccer Field.

FIVE STORY LINES

1 | Cassidy Savoy notched her first two collegiate goals against Northwestern Oklahoma State on Thursday afternoon. The sophomore put one past the keeper in the 32nd minute after coming off the bench and then repeated the feat in the 35th minute. The key to her successful game was in her movements on the field and being in the right spot at the right time. The forward has started the 2021 campaign on the right foot and has high expectations for the games to come.

2 | The Mustangs thrown together defense stayed strong during the 90 minutes against NW Oklahoma State. Nicole Marsolek and Alyssa Salinas commanded the back line from the two center spots while Emilia Nunez and Alex Sandlin put time in on the outside positions. Between the four, the Rangers were held to only 12 shots on goal for the entirety of the match. Defensive injuries hurt the Mustangs prior to Thursday's game which resulted in the new look of the back line.

3 | Taylor Camp has been a solid figure for Midwestern State in goal for the past two years. In 2021, the senior tallied six saves and one shutout thus far. In the shortened 2020 season, the keeper made 46 saves for a 0.697 save percent on the year. In her ten starts Camp collected one shutout on the year.

4 | New faces had some big time in the Mustangs' season opener. Lexi Beck was the most impressive by drawing a foul to result in a penalty kick and putting away the same free kick. The freshman totaled five shots in her 81 minutes in the midfield. Nunez has also been big for Midwestern State in a defensive position as she creates offensive opportunities and puts in hard tackles. In the team's game against Northwestern Oklahoma State, she made two shots on goal. Isabella Cruz also completed two shots in her 59 minute collegiate debut.

5 | UCO did not begin their season on the right foot as MSU did. The Bronchos first game ended in a 1-2 loss to No. 7 DBU on Thursday night. Eden Jones was the lone goal scorer for Central Oklahoma. The sophomore grabbed three goals as a freshman in 2019 and a couple in the team's unofficial spring season in 2020. The Broncos' top three goal scorers from 2019 did not return, but Taryn Kedzoir, who had five goals in 2019, is back for the 2021 season.

HEAD COACH RYAN SPENCE begins his fourth season as head coach at his alma mater. In the 2020 season, he led the Mustangs to the quarterfinals of the Lone Star Conference Tournament. As a player, Spence helped the Mustangs dominate in his four years on the field. He earned All-American from 2008-11 and helped the team reach the Final Four in 2010. His center back prowess assisted in gaining 35 shutouts in his tenure. After graduating with a bachelor's degree, he gained his masters from MSU in 2014-15. From there, Spence moved on as assistant coach at Texas A&M International in 2016 and head coach at Eastern New Mexico in 2017 before coming back to Midwestern State in 2018.
 
SERIES WITH THE BRONCOS
Midwestern State and Central Oklahoma have had a long standing feud dating back to 1998. In the 23 games, UCO has come out on top in 17 while MSU got the best in 6. The most recent match up came in the COVID-19 Spring 2021 season when the two teams faced off in Wichita Falls, Texas. In the season opener, the Broncos got the best of the Mustangs by a 1-0 score. Mdiwestern State will look to turn around their 1-11 record playing in Edmond, Okla.