WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Freshman forward Ashli Smith scored a pair of second-half goals to lead the Mustangs to a 3-1 win over Central Missouri Friday night in the 2007 season opener at the MSU Soccer Field.

The Mustangs stepped up the defense in the second half limiting Central Missouri, who qualified for the 2006 NCAA Division II regionals, to four shots after the Jennies had registered 10 shots in the opening half.

Fellow freshman Lauren Smith put the Mustang on top in opening three minutes of the match as she took a pass from Megan Bibilone, but barely beat the ball to the far post to give MSU an early 1-0 lead.

Central Missouri answered in the 29th minute on an unassisted tally by Melanie Hall to send the teams into the intermission knotted at 1-1.

Ashli Smith then put the game away with an exceptional performance in the closing half.

Junior goalkeeper Heather Primavera claimed the win for MSU with four saves.

The Mustangs will battled another Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association club in No. 12 Washburn Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m.