Midwestern men pop Northeastern State 4-1

            WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Midwestern State University's Brandon Swartzendruber scored a pair of goals in the first six-and-a half minutes of the second half to open up a tight game and lead MSU to a 4-1 Southwest Soccer Conference triumph over Northeastern State University (Okla.) Friday night at the MSU Soccer Field.

            MSU (10-3-2, 8-1-2) remained in third in the SSC, one point behind West Texas A&M in the conference standings and three points behind Incarnate Word.  Northeastern State (8-9-0, 6-6-0) stayed fourth in the league standings.

            After struggling to a 1-1 draw after the first half of play thanks to a goal from Daniel Brown in the 13th minute, MSU played aggressively to start the second half.

            A little over four minutes into the second frame, Swartzendruber got an upfield pass from Jimmy Krueger and blasted it off of NSU keeper Jason Schulz and past the left post to take the 2-1 lead.

            Just ninety seconds later, defender Daniel Woolard intercepted an errant Redman pass and sent it to Chad Rakestraw who crossed the ball to Swartendruber.  The junior slid it past Schulz again and gave MSU a 3-1 advantage.

            Krueger added his 11th goal of the season as insurance on a breakaway in the 71st minute with an assist to Swartendruber.

            MSU keeper Raul Herrera collected three saves while allowing a goal on nine shots.  He came out in the 73rd minute as Jeremy Turner posted two saves on five shots in 17 minures.

            NSU got a goal in the 29th minute from Ludinei Filho, while Schulz picked up eight saves with the four goals allowed on 27 MSU shots.

            MSU closes its home regular season on Sunday at 3 p.m. against Missouri Southern, then will have a pair of games at St. Mary's and St. Edward's next weekend.

+++ MSU +++