Independent file photo SMSU’s Kylee Bennett winds up a shot during their game against Northern State on Sunday. SMSU will face Bemidji State and the University of Minnesota Crookston this weekend.

MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota State University soccer team (3-8-1 overall, 2-7-1 NSIC) hits the road facing No. 11 Bemidji State at 6 p.m. today and Minnesota Crookston at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Series history

-SMSU is 11-10-4 all-time against Bemidji State, with the first meeting coming in 1996.

-Their last meeting came in 2019, when a 1-1 halftime score would drift in favor of the Beavers, who would net a pair of goals in the second half to win 3-1.

-SMSU is 20-3-1 all-time against Minnesota Crookston, with their first match coming in 1997.

-Their last meeting came on Oct. 4, 2019, when the Mustangs scored two goals in each half to come out with a 4-0 victory.

Youth movement

-This past weekend saw 12 freshmen get action for the Mustangs, including seven in the starting 11.

-True freshman Julianne Arballo recorded her first action of the season, playing 71 minutes and recording the win on Friday.

-True freshman Kirsten Wetterstrom led the team with 6 shots on the weekend, including four on goal.

-Destinee Lopez started on Sunday, recording two shots and a shot on goal for the Mustangs offense.

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

About Southwest Minnesota State

-The Mustangs are 2-7-1 to start conference play.

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

-Abbey Hoisington has also helped shoulder the offensive load, leading the team with four goals while having a team-high 16 shots on net.

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

-Meghan Harkin has started every game in net for the SMSU, giving 1.30 goals against per game.

Scouting

Bemidji State

-Jim Stone is in his 20th season as head women’s soccer coach at Bemidji State.

-BSU has started the season 11-0-2 and is 8-0-2 in the NSIC after tying Winona State on the road on Friday, and winning 4-2 at Upper Iowa on Sunday.

-BSU was picked to finish fourth in the NSIC preseason coaches poll.

-BSU is lead by Sara Wendt, whose 14 goals ranks fourth in the country and leads the NSIC.

-Junior Alyssa Stumbaugh is 9-0-1 in goal for BSU, giving up seven goals while recording four shutouts.

Scouting Minnesota Crookston

-Kyle Halfpop is in his third season at the helm of the Minnesota Crookston soccer program.

-UMC has started the season 1-11 and 1-8 in the conference after dropping a 3-0 match against Upper Iowa on Friday before falling 6-0 to Winona State on Sunday.

-UMC was picked to finish 16th in the NSIC preseason coaches poll.

-UMC is led by Abby Fettinger, who has tallied a goal on 17 shots, including shots on goal for the Golden Eagles.

-Sophomore Abby Olsen has started every game between the pipes for UMC, making 113 saves in 12 games while recording a shutout.

— Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications