After playing to a 16-0-2 record, Cal State LA men's soccer turns its sights to its NCAA Second Round opponent Midwestern State of Wichita Falls, Texas. Ahead of the showdown on Saturday, get to know the MSU Mustangs.

2019 SEASON SO FAR  

Propelled by a deep offensive unit, Midwestern State barreled to a blistering 11-1-0 start in 2019, posting 2.92 goals per game through its first 12 contests before hitting a late season skid.

Fresh off a seven-game winning streak, then No. 5 Midwestern State hosted a No. 16 St. Mary's team who had previously handed the Mustangs their sole loss of the season. The nationally ranked battle headed to double overtime where the Mustangs fell on a golden goal in the 110th minute. The 3-2 defeat marked Midwestern State's first home loss since September 12, 2016—a span of 27 games.

The heartbreaker came just before the Mustangs hit the road to take on West Texas A&M and Eastern New Mexico, where MSU suffered last-minute losses once again. West Texas A&M found its game winner on an 89th minute counterattack before Eastern New Mexico secured a 2-1 victory in the 88th minute, capping a three-game losing streak—the program's first since 1997.

The Mustangs closed out their regular season schedule with a pair of wins before beating two top-20 teams en route to the Lone Star Conference Tournament crown.

After receiving a bid to the NCAA Men's Soccer Championships with a No. 10 seed, Midwestern State defeated seventh seeded UC San Diego in the First Round on Thursday night at Cal State LA. A fifth-minute strike put the Mustangs up early, and they rode out constant pressure from the Tritons—including a penalty kick attempt—to the 1-0 shutout. 

LAST TIME THEY MET

Saturday's contest will mark only the third meeting between Cal State LA and Midwestern State in program history. The Golden Eagles have yet to defeat the Mustangs but have also not faced the Texas team in almost 20 years. The Mustangs won the first battle in Los Angeles by a 3-2 margin in 1997 before securing a 1-0 shutout in 2000 in Wichita Falls.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

While Midwestern State touts six players with 10-plus points this season, Sergio Laura will be the forward to watch Saturday. The 5-10 senior out of Frisco, Texas, has played in every game this season, and for good reason. Despite ranking 12th in minutes played on the Mustang roster, Lara has led his team in goals (8), points (19) and shots on goal (17). He headed a quintet of Mustangs named to the All-Lone Star Conference Second Team and scored three game-winning goals in 2019.

The Mustangs enter Saturday's contest ranked as one of the top-25 defenses in the nation, in large part due to goalkeeper Taylor Lampe. The 6-foot-3-inch, 190-pound junior is an imposing figure between the posts and uses his size to his advantage. With 56 saves, Lampe has accumulated a .800 save percentage and led MSU to a .736 goals against average on the year. The Mustangs' all-time winningest goalkeeper may have had his biggest save Thursday night as he denied a UC San Diego penalty kick in the 48th minute to keep a 1-0 lead in the First Round Game.

HOME VS. AWAY SPLITS

While both teams have turned in impeccable seasons at home and on the road, the Mustangs will walk into a Golden Eagle stronghold Saturday night. Cal State LA has won every contest at University Stadium this season (7-0-0) and are undefeated in the team's last 14 home games. Three of the Mustangs' four losses this year have come on the road, culminating in an 8-3-0 record away from Stang Park.

A FAMILIAR FACE

A former Cal State LA soccer player will be appearing on the opposite bench of the Golden Eagles but in a coaching capacity Saturday night. MSU assistant coach Emerson Lovato spent time with Cal State LA in 2015 as a backup goalkeeper for head coach Chris Chamides, sharing a roster with current Golden Eagles defender Antonio Rosas before continuing his playing career at Stanislaus State. Lovato serves as a graduate assistant coach in charge of goalkeepers for the Mustangs.

SATURDAY'S MATCH

Saturday's match between Cal State LA and Midwestern State will kick off at 6 p.m. PST at University Stadium on the campus of Cal State LA. Stadium gates will open at 5 p.m.

Tickets will be available at the stadium's gate and cost $10 general admission or $5 for students with ID, children under 12 and seniors. The first 200 Cal State LA students with ID will receive free admission and a Golden Eagles T-shirt.

The match will be broadcast live on CCAANetwork.com with Michael Nemetz on the call. Fans can also follow along with live stats at LAGoldenEagles.com/game.

In-game updates will also be provided via Twitter at @LAGoldenEagles using the hashtag #PlayForLA.