WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Two top-25 teams battled in broiling conditions at Stang Park on Thursday night. With the thermometer reading 108 degrees at kickoff, No. 7-ranked Midwestern State overcame two one-goal deficits to earn a 2-2 draw with No. 18-ranked Rogers State.

Rogers State (1-0-2) is still seeking its first-ever win in 12 meetings with the Mustangs, but took home its second draw in the history of the series. Midwestern State (2-0-1) is now 6-0-1 when hosting the Hillcats.

Both sides managed the excruciating heat and produced end-to-end action. The two teams combined for 17 shots in the first 45 minutes.

Erik Hjertsson scored the first goal of the game for the Hillcats in the 42nd minute. Hjertsson chased down a ball across halfway and accelerated up the center-forward channel. With Mustangs chasing him from behind, he unleashed a shot from 13 yards away that found the back of the net.

The lead was short lived. Midwestern State took a free kick from just outside the penalty box on the right side. Jack Larkin sent a ball into the area with a left-footed shot that was deflected to a wide-open Mere Escobar atop the penalty box, and his shot went through several Hillcats before hitting the left post and crossing the goal line to pull the Mustangs even, 1-1, in the 44th minute. Escobar has scored a goal in all three games for MSU.

Midwestern State dominated the run of play in the second half. The Mustangs outshot Rogers State over the final 45 minutes, 17-4, and had 14 corner kicks in the second half to finish with 16 for the match.

Rogers State claimed its second lead in the 79th minute. Alex Fletcher received a pass from Marcos Carsallo in the midfield. From the right flank, Fletcher delivered a pass into the middle of the box. George Robinson slid to the ball and poked it past Adam Braman with his left foot to put the Hillcats in front, 2-1.

The Mustangs capitalized on their 13th corner kick of the match as Escobar provided perfect service for Jecsi Orellana-Espinal, who scored with a header atop the 6-yard box.

Midwestern State pressured the Hillcats for the remaining 7:21 but could not score a game-winning goal.

Liam Pritchard hit a shot off the crossbar from just outside the 18-yard line in the 84th minute, but that was as close as the Mustangs would get to a victory.

Midwestern State returns to Stang Park on Saturday afternoon to face MSU Denver. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.

 

--MSUMustangs.com--

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