DALLAS—An early flurry from homestanding SMU was too much to overcome, as the Northwestern State soccer team fell 3-0 in its regular season opener Thursday evening at the Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium.

"Despite the result, I thought we showed we have a lot of fight and grit," head coach Ian Brophy said. "Obviously, there are some things we will need to work on, but overall, I am pleased after the first game."

NSU (0-1) started strong, recording two shots in the first 8:40 of the game, but SMU (1-0) took control from there, winning in its first sporting event as a member of the ACC.

SMU came out firing, scoring two goals in the first 20:06 to take command early.

The Lady Demons recorded shots from Ravina Sandhu and Riley Stern to take a 2-1 shots advantage. But SMU kept the pressure on from then on, tallying the next 21 shot attempts of the contest.

Sammy Nieves found the back of the net first in the 15^th minute off an assist from Mackenzie Rudden to give the Mustangs the advantage they would never relinquish.

Nyah Rose doubled the advantage with an unassisted goal in the 21^st minute.

The Mustangs kept the heat on, outshooting NSU 14-2 in the first half.

Overall, SMU out-shot NSU 31-5.

The 31 shots allowed are the most NSU has surrendered in a game since allowing 43 in 2016, also to SMU.

Libe Banuelos kept the Lady Demons in the game, recording four of her 11 saves in the half.

The 11 stops by Banuelos are her most since recording 14 at Lamar last season and the second-most in her NSU career.

"Libe was unbelievable," Brophy said. "She showed why she is one of the best goalkeepers in the Southland Conference. It was just a stellar performance. She made some saves that I have never seen from her before. Even SMU was in awe of some of the saves she made."

She made crucial saves in the first half of the final period to hold the SMU offense in check until the 73^rd minute when SMU found the back of the net a third time to finish off the scoring.

After a half full of pressure, the Mustangs finally broke through with a goal by Kelly Gordon for the final tally of the contest.

Prior to SMU's third goal, NSU had a chance to cut into the deficit, but Paige Baumgartner's shot sailed just high and the home team kept the two-goal lead.

"I am proud of the second half performance," Brophy said. "It was much better than the first. I just wish we could have started the game better."

Two of NSU's shots—Sandhu and Tiana Cruz—were taken by freshmen, and two others were taken by sophomores (Senatore and Stern).

Four Mustangs recorded at least three shot attempts, led by Rose's six. Eliana Salama attempted five shots, including two on frame.

NSU continues its stretch of four consecutive matches on the road with a trip to Starkville, Miss., to battle No. 18 Mississippi State on Sunday to round out the weekend.