Independent file photo SMSU’s Taylor Tabacco controls the ball during their game against Northern State on Oct. 17. SMSU will face CSP and MSU Mankato this weekend.

MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota State University soccer team (4-9-1 overall, 3-8-1 NSIC) hosts Concordia-St. Paul (7-6-2, 6-4-2) at 6 p.m. on Friday before traveling to Mankato to face Minnesota State (12-2-1, 10-1-1) at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Series history

-SMSU is 11-11-1 all-time against Concordia-St. Paul, with the first meeting coming in 1999.

-Their last meeting came in 2019 when CSP would net the winner in the first overtime to win a 1-0 match.

-SMSU is 1-19-1 all-time against Minnesota State, with their first match coming in 1996.

-Their last meeting came on Oct. 11, 2019, when the Mavericks scored four first half goals to help lead them to a 5-1 victory.

Youth movement

-This past weekend saw 11 freshmen get action for the Mustangs, including eight in the starting 11.

-True freshman Julianne Arballo recorded her first start of the season on Sunday, making three saves and giving up a goal in their 4-1 victory.

-Redshirt freshman Emily Maciel took the team with four of her first five shots of the season on the weekend, including three on Sunday and one that accounted for her first career goal.

-Kylee Bennett made an impact in only 19 minutes of action Sunday, picking up her first career goal as well.

-Kirsten Wetterstrom contninued applying offensive pressure, taking seven shots on the weekend and putting two shots on net.

-The 2021 season has seen 15 freshmen get action for the Mustangs, with 12 tallying starts.

About Southwest Minnesota State

-The Mustangs are 3-8-1 to start conference play.

-Alex Lotts leads the team offensively, scoring four goals and dishing four assists for the Mustangs on the season.

-Abbey Hoisington has also helped shoulder the offensive load, tying the team with four goals while having a team-high 18 shots on net.

-Katie Oatman has held down the defense this season, leading the team in minutes and has taken six shots, including a pair of shots on goal.

-Meghan Harkin has started all but one game in net for the SMSU, giving 1.33 goals against.

Scouting

Concordia-St. Paul

-Steve Bellis is in his 11th season as head women’s soccer coach at CSP.

-CSP has started the season 7-6-2 and is 6-4-2 in the NSIC after dropping a 3-1 decision to UMary on the road on Friday and tying 0-0 at Minot State on Sunday.

-CSP was picked to finish third in the NSIC preseason coaches poll.

-CSP is lead by Katie Anderson, whose six goals and 34 shots on goal leads the team.

-Freshman Jessi Jordan is 5-4-1 in goal for CSP, giving up 16 goals while recording three shutouts.

Scouting

Minnesota State

-Brian Bahl is in his ninth season at the helm of the Minnesota State soccer program.

-MSU has started the season 12-2-1 and 10-1-1 in the conference after winning a pair of matches 3-0, first against Minot State on Friday and then Sunday against UMary.

-MSU was picked to finish first in the NSIC preseason coaches poll.

-UMC is led by Jenny Vetter, who has tallied 15 goals on 29 SOG to lead the Mavericks.

-Sophomore Mackenzie Rath has nine games between the pipes for MSU, giving up just three goals and recording six shutouts.

— Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications