MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State soccer team opened the 2012 season with a 3-0 victory over Nebraska-Kearney on Friday afternoon. In her first collegiate soccer game, freshman forward Miranda Cadena netted two goals, while freshman forward Kylee Nolan netted the third goal for the Mustangs.

The victory was the first time SMSU (1-0) has won a season opener since 2002 when SMSU defeated Dordt 4-2. UNK drops to 0-1 on the season.

The Mustangs came out of the gate strong as Miranda Cadena scored the first goal of the contest in the 12th minute, with Kendahl Fisher tallying the assist. Holding a 1-0 lead late in the second half, SMSU added two late goals from Kylee Nolan and Miranda Cadena in the 81st and 90th minute. Sonya Smith stopped all nine shots-on-goal as she recorded her fifth career shutout, first of the season.

Head coach TJ Buchholz started seven freshmen, three sophomores and one junior, with an additional five freshman logging minutes in the contest.

Southwest Minnesota State will travel to St. Cloud State to take on the Huskies on Monday, Sept. 3, at 1 p.m. SMSU will return home on Friday, Sept. 7, to take on the University of Sioux Falls at the Regional Event Center.