WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Samuele Muroni scored his first goal as a Mustang to help No. 2-ranked Midwestern State to a 2-0 win over No. 18 UT Tyler Wednesday night at Stang Park.
MSU won its ninth consecutive match to remain unbeaten at 11-0-1, while snapping the Patriots' unbeaten run at nine as UT Tyler slipped to 5-2-4.
Muroni, a junior transfer from Richland College, opened scoring in the 42nd minute when he headed in a cross from
Josh Milla, who collected clearance pass from 25 yards out on the left wing and centered a cross to the middle of the goal area.
The Mustangs controlled 62 percent of possession time in the opening half while producing an 8-4 edge in shots.
Liam Pritchard put the match away for the Mustangs with his fifth goal of the season in the 75th minute. The junior forward from Hartlepool, England, finished a cross from
Mere Escobar with a leaping volley in the middle of the goal box to extend MSU's advantage to two goals.
The lead could have been bigger, but UT Tyler goalkeeper Diego Berlingeri foiled Pritchard's breakaway opportunity midway through the second half.
Milla also had a goal wiped away on a curious offside call in the 83rd minute. Senior
Maycol Reyes broke free after collecting a loose ball resulting from a Patriot corner kick before feeding a pass to
Johan Juarez resulting in a two-on-one with the keeper.
Milla easily scored from just inside the area, but was ruled offside.
Midwestern State's
Adam Braman made three saves and survived a deflection off of the crossbar to earn his sixth shutout of the season.
Midwestern State hits the road to face Texas A&M International Saturday night in Laredo. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Quick Kicks
- Midwestern State remained unbeaten is six matches against UT Tyler.
- The Mustangs are unbeaten through 12 matches for the first time since also starting the 2018 campaign at 11-0-1.
- MSU extended its shutout streak to 298:16 and have not allowed a goal since the 61:14 mark in a 3-1 win at Oklahoma Christian on Sept. 27. Since, the Mustangs own shutouts against Dallas Baptist, Oklahoma Christian, and UT Tyler.
- The Mustangs have not let a goal in at home since taking a 2-2 draw against No. 18 Rogers State on Sept. 7. Since, the Mustangs have shut out MSU Denver (5-0), West Texas A&M (1-0), Oklahoma Christian (3-0), and UT Tyler (2-0).
- Senior forward
Liam Pritchard has accounted for points in each of his last four games, amassing three goals and two assists.
- Senior midfielder
Mere Escobar tacked on his fifth assist against UT Tyler and has accounted for points in 11 of MSU's 12 matches this season. He continues to lead the Lone Star Conference with 11 goals.
- Junior midfielder
Josh Milla has played a hand in goals in each of the last two matches. He scored his first goal of the season Saturday against Oklahoma Christian before assisting on
Samuele Muroni's opening goal versus UT Tyler then had a goal waved off due to an offside call.
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-- MSUMustangs.com --
