Independent file photo SMSU’s Abbey Hoisington (14), Alex Lotts (24), Selena Prolic (8) and Katie Oatman (20) celebrate after Hoisington scored a goal during their game against Minot State on Sept. 24. SMSU will face Wayne State and Augustana this weekend.

MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota State University soccer team (2-5-1 overall, 1-4-1 NSIC) opens up homecoming today, facing Wayne State (2-6-1, 2-4), before hosting Augustana (4-3-2, 3-1-2) on Sunday.

-Kickoff today is set for 3 p.m., while kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Series history

-SMSU is 16-10-3 all-time against Wayne State, with the first meeting coming in 1997.

-Their last meeting came in 2019, when the Mustangs scored three second half goals to give them a 3-0 victory.

-SMSU is 4-18-1 all-time against Augustana, with their first match coming in 2000.

-Their last meeting came on Nov. 13, 2019, when the Mustangs dropped a 3-1 decision in the first round of the NSIC tournament.

Between the posts

-SMSU redshirt freshman Meghan Harkin has started every game in net for the young Mustangs club, recording nine saves and a clean sheet over the weekend.

-Harkin has given up 0.96 goals per game, while averaging 4.25 saves a match.

Youth movement

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

-Redshirt Meghan Harkin recorded 4.5 saves a match in two games.

-True freshman Kirsten Wetterstrom tallied her first career goal on Sunday, which would turn out to be the game winner, while starting a passing clinic to help set up the first goal in a 2-1 victory against Minnesota Duluth.

-True freshman Laney Brill Picked up her first career start on Sunday, playing 38 minutes and passing into the assist of the first goal. Brill also played a season-high 70 minutes in Friday’s 0-0 tie against St. Cloud State.

-The 2021 season has seen 13 freshmen get action for the Mustangs, with ten tallying starts.

About Southwest Minnesota State

-The Mustangs are 1-4-1 to start conference play.

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

-Abbey Hoisington has also helped shoulder the offensive load, tying the team lead with two goals and having a team-high 10 shots on net.

-Katie Oatman has held down the defense this season, playing nearly every minute and taking four shots, including a pair of shots on goal.

-Meghan Harkin has started every game in net for the SMSU, giving up less than one goal against per game.

Scouting

Wayne State

-Emily Hester is in her first season as head women’s soccer coach at Wayne State College, named the 10th coach in program history on February 23rd.

-WSC has started the season 2-6-1 and is 2-4 in the NSIC after a weekend split on the road, defeating Minnesota Crookston 2-0 before falling to Bemidji State 4-1 on Sunday.

-WSC was picked to finish eighth in the NSIC preseason coaches poll.

-WSC is lead by Payton Haliburton, who has scored two goals and two assists, while only taking nine shots.

-Sophomore Katherine Hageman has started seven of nine games in net for WSC, giving up seven goals while making 26 saves.

Scouting

Augustana

-Brandon Barkus has been the Head Soccer Coach at Augustana since 2006, compiling a record of 155-99-28, six NCAA tournament appearances and one NSIC tournament championship.

-Augie has started the season 4-3-2 and 3-1-2 in the conference after dropping a 2-0 match against Bemidji State on Friday before defeating Minnesota Crookston 9-0 on Sunday.

-Augie was picked to finish second in the NSIC preseason coaches poll

-Augie is lead by Alexis Legg, who has tallied four goals and two assists on eight shots on goal for the Vikings.

-Sophomore Jillian Barkus has started every game between the pipes for AUGIE, making 37 saves in nine games while giving up 1.06 goals per game.

— Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications