WINONA, Minn. – Something had to give. Winona State University and Southwest Minnesota State University entered Friday night's pivotal conference tilt at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium tied for the eighth and final NSIC Playoff spot with one week remaining in the regular season. After a hard-fought 90 battle, the Mustangs of SMSU outlasted the Warriors, 1-0, to move into prime postseason position while carving out a challenging path for WSU.
The Mustangs' victory was not only monumental in terms of the playoff race, but stands as the first time in 35 meetings that SMSU has defeated Winona State. The Mustangs game-winning goal came in the 63rd minute of the contest.
The Warriors slip to 7-9 (6-7 NSIC) while SMSU improves to 9-6 (7-6 NSIC). The Mustangs and Winona State each have two games remaining in the regular season – against Upper Iowa (3-7-3) and Sioux Falls (3-9-1). Winona State's postseason hunt is far from over though as the Warriors are just two points behind Wayne State in the conference standings. Wayne State has a tougher road ahead with games against Minnesota State (11-2 NSIC) and Augustana (12-3-1 NSIC).
The first half of Friday's affair was a back-and-forth battle with both teams seeing scoring opportunities early. WSU's Georgette Topalis found herself open in front of the net in the 13th minute, but her shot sailed just over the crossbar to keep the game scoreless.
SMSU unloaded a bevy of shots from 20 yards out in the first half, but sophomore goalkeeper Yanel Ortiz did her part with three saves in the first half to preserve the shutout. At the half, both teams had exactly nine shots, as well as three saves to each goalie's credit.
The Mustangs asserted themselves at the start of the second half with plenty of pressure to put the Warriors on their heels. That pressure led to a handful of turnovers and rushed chances for the home team, and SMSU finally took advantage, breaking the scoreless tie on the foot of Abbey Hoisington. The eventual game-winner was deflected off a Warrior defender from 10 yards out and Hoisington was in the right place at the right time to send it into the back of the net.
Warrior junior Missy Greco had a good chance to knot the score at 1-1 in the 85th minute when she got open at the top of the 18-yard box, but a great save by the Mustangs' keeper kept the Warriors at bay.
The evenly matched squads had nearly identical season stat lines prior to Friday's kickoff, and in a game decided by just one goal, the numbers once again reflected the tight matchup. The Mustangs edged the Warriors in total shots, 16-15, while each team put six shots on target. Fouls were the difference of the game, as the Warriors were charged with nine offences compared to just four by SMSU.
Freshman Jaida Wiege led the Warriors in shots (4) while Greco and freshman Ellie Wardell led the team in shots on goal (2). Ortiz stood tall for five saves in the setback. It marked the eighth time this season Ortiz has yielded just one goal or fewer.
Winona State returns to action on Sunday when the Warriors travel to Sioux Falls for a seemingly must-win game. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
