WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Midwestern State exploded for three goals in the final 11 minutes to roll past No. 11-ranked St. Mary's, 3-1, in regular season finale Wednesday night at Stang Park.
With the win, the Mustangs completed an unbeaten regular season on the home pitch, while earning a bye into the Lone Star Conference semifinals set for next Friday on the St. Mary's campus in San Antonio.
MSU also shored up its No. 6 spot in the NCAA Division II Super Region Four rankings released earlier in the day with a season sweep of the Rattlers. The Mustangs beat St. Mary's -- 2-0 -- earlier in the season at Sigma Beta Chi Field.
St. Mary's, which came into the match ranked 12th in the region, will most likely have to win the LSC automatic bid by claiming the league's postseason tournament championship.
Midwestern State improved to 12-2-3 overall and 7-2-1 in Lone Star action, while the Rattlers dipped to 12-3-3 and 8-1-1.
The Mustangs face the winner of Saturday's quarterfinal matchup between St. Edward's and UT Tyler next week in San Antonio.
How it Happened
Midwestern State broke the scoreless tie when Tristian Adams notched his second goal of the season by heading in a serve from Mere Escobar in the 80th minute. Both of Adams' goals this season came against the Rattlers.
The Mustangs extended the lead to 2-0 on a strike by Gabriel Gacovicaj -- his second goal of the season -- in the 87th minute, on an assist from the left wing by Skyler Krchnak.
Midwestern State pushed the advantage to 3-0 on Max Gonzales' 87th-minute goal, his sixth of the season. Johan Juarez played a ball into the middle of the box, allowing Gonzales to fight through two St. Mary's defenders before burying the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal.
The Rattlers spoiled the clean sheet in the 89th minute when Lewis Nohar buried a free kick from 20 yards out.
Game Notes
- Midwestern State is unbeaten in its last 18 regular season home matches. The run includes a pair of draws.
- Daniel Robles made three saves for the Mustangs out of 15 total Rattlers shots.
- Midwestern State registered eight shots on goal
This article created using technology provided by Data Skrive.