Photo by Samantha Davis: Southwest Minnesota State University's Jayna Benson looks to take control back of the ball on defense against St. Cloud State University Sunday afternoon at Mattke Field in Marshall. The Mustangs fell to the Huskies 2-0.

MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota State University soccer team suffered a 2-0 loss to an undefeated St. Cloud State University squad in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matchup Sunday afternoon at Mattke Field.

SMSU was out-shot 14-8, with nine of SCSU’s attempts on target to SMSU’s three. Although the Huskies made it a habit to keep control on their side, the match was hard-fought with both teams finishing with 10 fouls on the day.

Sophomore Stella Litzen had a strong performance in the goal for SMSU, and finished with seven saves on the nine shots she faced.

Sophia Wilson and Brooke Wetterstrom led the Mustangs with two shot attempts, one on target, each.

The Huskies controlled possession of the ball a majority of the first half, and made it a point to continue the trend throughout the game.

St. Cloud out-shot the Mustangs 8-3 in the first half, with five of them on target. SMSU didn’t have any shots on goal in the opening half. The Huskies also had four corner kicks to SMSU’s lone attempt in the first.

Litzen helped keep SMSU within reach with a strong four saves in the net throughout the opening half.

In the 34th minute, St. Cloud’s Jordan Kardelis received the ball off a throw-in on the left side of the field and kicked the ball up to the right corner where Delaney Weier met it and was able to get a shot off in the attacking third past an attacking Litzen to put the Huskies on the board.

The officials reviewed the play afterwards to check for offsides, confirming the goal.

SMSU saw a few break opportunities to move the ball up the field into Huskies’ territory, yet SCSU returned the favor on the defensive end to limit the Mustangs’ looks.

Illjana Arbaugh, Wetterstrom and Sophia Sonnek combined for a trio of shot attempts for SMSU in the first half.

The Huskies came out firing in the beginning of the second half, with a shot on goal by Ellie Primerano in the first minute after dribbling the ball down the middle but was saved by Litzen.

Yet, just seconds later in the 47th minute, SCSU’s Linsey Trapino scored a goal with a kick to the back left of the net to put the Huskies up 2-0.

The Mustangs again had a few good looks and turned up their offensive momentum with five shots throughout the second half, three of which were on target, but ultimately were unable to complete the play.

SCSU continued chipping away, recording another five six attempts with four on goal.

The Huskies entered the afternoon looking to protect its undefeated record, who now sit 6-0-3 overall on the season, and 4-0-2 in conference play.

The Mustangs (2-7, 1-5) will next hit the road to face new NSIC opponent University of Jamestown in a conference matchup on Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Charlotte and Gordon Hansen Stadium. The Jimmies joined the NSIC this year, and currently sit 1-6, 1-4 on the season.

SMSU will next return home on Oct. 19 after concluding its three-game road trip when it hosts Augustana at 1 p.m. at Mattke Field.