WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Ahmad Ihmeidan gave No. 16 Midwestern State an early, then the defense held on as the Mustangs cruised to a 3-0 win over Northeastern State in their Southwest Soccer Conference opener Friday night at the MSU Soccer Field.

"It was nice to finish an opportunity in the first half," MSU coach Doug Elder said as Mustangs converted one of their three chances before intermission.

Ihmeidan took a cross from Daniel Brown and beat Northeastern keeper Devon Murray to the far post to give the Mustangs a 1-0 advantage in the seventh minute.

Midwestern, which improved to 5-1, was led defensively by captain Danny Kastelic with ample aid from starting defenders Robert Swann, Brannon Calvert and Brian Martinez.

The Mustangs have now posted shutouts in four of their six matches with senior keeper Jeremy Turner allowing a miniscule 0.25 goals a game after finishing second in the national in the category in 2006.

And it was the back line that afforded the Mustangs with their two scoring chances in the second half.

Senior forward Daniel Brown received a long pass on a breakaway from Martinez before keeping the ball away from the NSU keeper before hitting the open net for his sixth goal of the season in the 53rd minute.

Reserve defender Tyler Murphy knocked a through ball to Efren Castillo to give the Mustangs a three-goal advantage in the 78th minute.

Midwestern State polishes off a six-game home stand Sunday afternoon when it plays host to Missouri Southern. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Northeastern State dropped to 3-4 and 1-2.