Photo by Jake McNeill Southwest Minnesota State forward Selena Prolic (8) dribbles the ball during the Mustangs’ 2-0 loss to Northern State at Mattke Field in Marshall on Friday night.

MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota State women’s soccer team returned home on Friday night to open a three-game homestand to close the regular season and make a push for the conference tournament, but Northern State scored a goal in each half to earn a 2-0 victory at The Schwan Regional Event Center.

SMSU entered the game in 10th place in the league standings with the top eight teams qualifying for the NSIC Tournament. With the loss, SMSU falls to 4-10-1 overall, 4-7-1 NSIC. NSU moved into a tie for third place with the victory and is now 7-3-5 overall, 6-1-5 NSIC.

The Wolves opened the scoring in the 15th minute as Chloe Voss scored her first of the season off assists from Megan Fastenau and Ella Blake.

The game remained 1-0 into the second half before NSU added to the lead with Hannah Smith scoring in the 65th minute with an assist from Voss.

NSU closed the game with 12 shots, including nine on goal, with Smith collecting six on goal.

SMSU finished the game recording eight shots with seven on goal. Haley Mason and Alyson Gallagher each had a pair of shots on goal.

Kenna Conley started in goal for SMSU and made seven saves.

SMSU concludes the weekend on Sunday with a 1 p.m. match-up versus MSU Moorhead. The SMSU program with honor its five seniors prior to the game.