MARSHALL, Minn. – The Mustang soccer team kicked-off Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play on Friday night with a 3-0 victory over the University of Sioux Falls in Marshall. Sonya Smith recorded her sixth career shutout, while Kendahl Fisher, Lauren Douglas and Autumn Hayes all scored goals to provide the offense  for the Mustangs.

SMSU struck first early in the game, with Kendahl Fisher scoring in the 12th minute of the first half. SMSU took the 1-0 lead into half and came out fast in the second half with a Lauren Douglas goal in the 51st minute. Megan Kilroy placed the corner kick perfectly for Douglas to head it in for her first career goal.

It was a physical contest between the Cougars and the Mustangs, as four yellow cards in total were handed out. SMSU took advantage of a penalty kick in the 88th minute as Autumn Hayes converted on the try for her first goal of the season. With the victory, SMSU improves to 3-0 overall, 1-0 in the NSIC while USF drops to 0-3 overall, 0-1 in the NSIC.

SMSU will continue NSIC play next Saturday, September 15 against University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D. The game is slated for a 1 p.m. start. Sunday, the Mustangs will travel to Minot, N.D. to take on Minot State at 1 p.m.