ODESSA, Texas -- Junior Isabella Cruz scored twice to carry Midwestern State to a 3-2 win over a chippy side from UT Permian on Wednesday night.

The Mustangs snapped a four-match winless stretch that included 1-1 draws in the last three games to improve to 6-3-5 on the season and to 3-2-3 in Lone Star Conference play.

Cruz, 5-8 forward from Austin, tallied the opening goal after Cassidy Savoy raced down the middle forward channel and delivered a short cross near the top of the penalty area. Cruz took one touch and buried a shot in the lower right corner of the net for her third goal of the season.

MSU took advantage of a restart from 30 yards out in the 67th minute as Lexi Beck hit a free kick to center of the area that Lillia Besedin headed in for her second goal of the season to five the Mustangs a 2-0 lead.

UT Permian Basin cut the lead in half in the 76th minute when Kristel Chaves drilled in a free kick from just outside of the box.

But Cruz finished off her first collegiate brace with a run down the right forward channel in the 81st minute, banging a shot near the end line off the bottom of the crossbar and into the goal as the Mustangs re-established a two-goal lead at 3-1.

UT Permian Basin, which came into the match leading all of NCAA Division II with 25 yellow cards, continued its physical play which culminated in the final minute of the match.

MSU's Averi Culver served a through ball down the right sideline to senior Janae Sanchez, who appeared to immediately receive a forearm to the back from UTPB's Hayley Sawyer.

Play continued with both players jostling for the ball and ended when Sanchez attempted to pull past Sawyer, who ended up sprawling to the turf.

After the play ended, UTPB coach Carla Tejas appeared to sprint toward Sanchez, who was ejected due to violent behavior.

As Sanchez exited the field, a reserve player on the the Falcons' bench was visibly restrained appearing to lunge toward the MSU defender while in the field of play.

In addition to the ejection, Midwestern State was booked with four cautions including one to Culver, one to Allessandra Romano, one to Savoy, and the other to the MSU bench.

Sawyer was also booked in the match's final minute for the Falcons.

Up a man, UT Permian Basin scored a goal in the seconds by Hayley Sawyer.

Midwestern State returns to action Saturday night against No. 25 Dallas Baptist. Kickoff at Stang Park is set for 7:30 p.m.
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