WICHITA FALLS, Texas — Parker Plaxco had a hat trick, and Midwestern State defeated Tex. A&M International 3-0 on Saturday at Stang Park. The Mustangs scored all three goals in the first half, finished with a 22-9 shot advantage and recorded its third clean sheet in four games and its fourth shutout of the season.
The Mustangs have a six-game winning streak and a 21-game unbeaten streak, dating back to last season.
Plaxco scored three times in the first half as MSU built a 3-0 lead by halftime. Plaxco opened the scoring at 6:31 from the penalty spot after
Oscar Nunez was brought down near the six-yard box, and the Maroon & Gold followed with shots from Plaxco and
Cooper Tea in the next two minutes. The pressure led to another goal at 19:14 after two corner kicks in quick succession, with
Davis Mays' header coming off the left post before Plaxco finished from short range. Plaxco completed the scoring at 24:06, driving a low shot inside the bottom right corner after
Skyler Krchnak and
Cooper Tea combined on the build-up and were credited with assists.
Jake Morris saved three TAMIU shots, including two in the final four minutes, as the Mustangs played through a stretch of fouls and yellow cards and took the 3-0 lead into halftime.
MSU held the Dustdevils scoreless in the second half and closed out a 3-0 win. After TAMIU took two shots in the opening minutes, the Mustangs built pressure with seven shots from 54:08 to 63:11, including Lawrence Doe's saved attempt,
Liam Kervick's shot off the top woodwork and
Cooper Tea's saved look. Morris handled Dustdevils chances with saves at 58:50 and 67:29, and Kervick hit the right woodwork at 66:18 as the Maroon & Gold continued to create attempts. MSU added two corners after the 70th minute and a saved shot by
Haris Dunic at 82:47, then Morris made another save at 87:02 before
Daniel Fialkov's late shot went over as the match finished 3-0.
Plaxco is now the leading goal scorer for the Mustangs with eight goals this season, including two game-winning goals.
Mustangs Top Performers
- three goals, including the game-winning goal
- six shots, three on goal
- one hat trick
Jake Morris
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- six saves
- one shutout
Cooper Tea
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- one assist
- four shots, two on goal
Davis Mays
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- one assist
- one shot
- one assist
- one shot
TAMIU Top Performers
Abner Zuniga
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- 4 shots
- 2 shots on goal
Nicklas Berg-Eriksen
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- 3 saves
- 27:45 in goal
Luca Baurenhas
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- 2 shots
- 2 shots on goal
