Photo by Sam Thiel SMSU’s Katie Oatman (20) celebrates with teammate Mikayla Walters (10) after scoring a goal during their game against St. Cloud State on Sunday. The Mustangs defeated the Huskies 2-1.

MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota State University soccer team had to rely on its defense late in their thrilling overtime victory against Minnesota Duluth on Friday. In another key game on Sunday, the Mustangs’ efforts on their own side of the field were tested again, and SMSU was able to come up big in the final minutes to earn a 2-1 victory over St. Cloud State University at Mattke Field.

SMSU coach Erin Kasmarik-Mallett said it was key for them to get early offense and felt they gained even more confidence on the defensive end in the second half.

“I thought it was fantastic for us to jump on them and really get those two goals and maximize our chances,” Kasmarik-Mallett said. “I also thought it was great for our progression as a team to be able to have to defend. They were pushing for a goal, changed their shape, did some different things and we were able to defend and came out with the victory. That’s great confidence for us moving forward.”

The Huskies quickly gained possession and fired some early shots on net in the game’s opening minutes, but the Mustangs were able to push the ball upfield and find their attackers shortly after. SMSU quickly capitalized on that opportunity, as a corner kick attempt from Abbey Hoisington worked its way to Katie Oatman, who found the back of the net for her first collegiate goal in the 15th minute to put the Mustangs up 1-0.

SMSU continued to maintain the one-goal lead over the next several minutes before a SCSU foul awarded a Mustangs penalty kick. Olivia Harriger — who has scored twice in three PK attempts this season — lined up to take the shot and got it past the goalkeeper for another score to push SMSU’s lead to 2-0 in the 33rd minute.

After keeping the Huskies at bay throughout the remainder of the opening half, SMSU was able to halt SCSU’s chances in the early stages of the second frame. The Huskies continued to stay hungry, however, and drew a penalty kick of their own in the 68th minute. SCSU’s Kaitlyn Dziubinski made it count, scoring on the left side of the net to make it a 2-1 game.

With just 22 minutes left in the game, the Huskies increased their offensive efforts in search of the equalizer, but SMSU’s defense and goalkeeper Amanda Haimes were able to come up with resounding stops on each occasion. SCSU finished the game with a 22-6 total shots advantage, including a 12-3 margin in shots on goal. Haimes recorded a career-high 11 saves in the win.

Oatman said they went back to their original formation after the Huskies scored and they did a good job of clearing the ball in the final 22 minutes.

“We switched back to our original formation; at halftime, we switched and then we switched back to what we were doing because it was working the best,” Oatman said. “Our main goal [in those final 22 minutes] was getting the ball up and out and let our dynamic players run to it and hold the ball for us and try and kill some time.”

Up next

SMSU (8-6 overall, 6-6 NSIC) hits the road for a Friday matchup against Winona State University at 6 p.m. before coming back home next Sunday afternoon for a 1 p.m. matchup against Upper Iowa University.

With just three games remaining in the regular season, Kasmarik-Mallett knows their upcoming matchup against the Warriors will be another tough test and they’ll have to continue to play their game.

“That it’s probably going to be just like this; they’re a good team, we’re a good team and we’ll have to show up with our best,” Kasmarik-Mallett said. “If we show up with our best, then we’ll have every opportunity to get those results and it’s one of those we’re going to go after for sure.”