WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Midwestern State came alive to score a pair of second half goals to beat UT Tyler 2-1 Saturday night at Stang Park.

The Mustangs snapped a three-match slide while keeping hope alive for a Lone Star Conference postseason berth. MSU improved to 6-8-1 on the season and went to 3-6-1 in league play.

With 10 points, the Mustangs are just one behind UT Tyler and UT Permian Basin for the seventh and final berth in the postseason tournament with two games remaining.

Midwestern State broke a 328-minute scoring drought when senior Senna Garcia converted her second collegiate penalty kick in the 53rd minute to pull the Mustangs even at 1-1.

Less than two minutes later, senior Alexandria Sandlin headed in her first goal as a Mustang off of a cross from Jozy Bardsley to provide the difference in the match.

The Mustangs took advantage of a throw-in deep in their offensive third as Bardsley threw to Lexi Beck's feet, then Beck returned a clean pass to Bardsley, who put the cross right to the penalty spot. 

UT Tyler controlled the run of play in the opening half and took advantage of a free kick just outside of the box in the 24th minute.

Alexia Moreira hammered two shots squarely into the MSU wall with the second bounding out to the right attacking channel.

Sydnee Garner took a pass from Kylie Criner, made two moves around MSU defenders, and drilled a shot to the upper left corner of the net for the opening goal.

Midwestern State hits the road to take on Texas Woman's Tuesday night in Denton before returning to Stang Park for the regular season finale Friday night against Angelo State.

UT Tyler fell to 7-3-5 on the season and 2-3-5 in league play.
  Read Full Article