Alex Eisen/MDN Southwest Minnesota State defender Olivia Harriger (right) tries to slow down Minot State junior Sofia Lewis (left) in an NSIC women's soccer game played Sunday afternoon at Herb Parker Stadium.

On the verge of history, Minot State junior Sofia Lewis sprinted past the Southwest Minnesota State defense not once, but twice.

With two goals, Lewis inched within one goal of tying MSU’s all-time goal-scoring record (34) and set the Beavers up to beat the Mustangs on Sunday at Herb Parker Stadium.

While celebrating senior day, freshman Anabel Noches notched her second game-winning goal of the season in the 70th minute to seal the 3-2 victory.

“Big goal from a freshman, that’s good,” MSU head coach Chris Clements said. “Sundays are tough when you don’t have depth, so I thought they did great. I wish we would have made the adjustments to finish the game out a little bit better. But Sundays, honestly, are about getting a result and winning games.”

Lewis, a Minot native, scored the only goal in the first half by running down a through ball, shielding off two defenders and finishing across the goalkeeper.

“Mel (van Walstijn) played it over the top to me, and it was kind of a foot race for 20-30 yards,” Lewis said. “I pulled it back and hit it.”

SMSU (6-6, 4-6 NSIC) grabbed the lead with two goals in the first five minutes of the season half.

Alli Miskowiec got on the end of the first one, and the second came via the penalty spot. MSU (3-8-1, 3-6 NSIC) got caught for a handball while trying to clear the ball out of the box.

“One was just unlucky,” Clements said. “The ball bounces up and hits her in the arm. It was because it happened up by her face. If it’s by her side, it’s not a handball. But we had a great response.”

The Mustangs’ lead lasted for four minutes. On a mission, Lewis started at midfield and dribbled right around the SMSU backline. With only the keeper to beat, Lewis fired in her second goal of the game and fifth goal of the season.

“Even after they scored two, I knew we were winning this game,” Lewis said. “I told everyone… and I think everyone believed it. So, our next two goals after that were easy and expected.”

Lewis, with 33 career goals, needed the hat-trick tally to tie Ninfa “Ninja” Ramirez’s all-time school goal record. It never came, and Lewis was unaware of what she could have accomplished.

“Am I? That’s cool. I thought I was a couple more away,” she said. “It’s exciting. But my goal is not to break records but set records that nobody else can touch, and that will motivate other girls.”

Noches got to be the hero again on Sunday. Standing near the back post, she was at the right place at the right time when a corner kick delivery was deflected her way. With no hesitation, Noches volleyed the ball into the back of the net.

MSU held on over a hectic final 20 minutes for its second consecutive win.

“This is a good feeling that we got two wins,” Noches said. “If we keep this streak going, we could probably make it to the NCAA Tournament.”

Making the NSIC Tournament is the first step, and the Beavers will face two opponents ahead of them in the conference standings this week. MSU hits the road to play Upper Iowa on Friday and Winona State on Sunday.

Alex Eisen covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.