SAN ANTONIO – No. 3 Midwestern State started the 2008 campaign in the same way it started last season – with a three-goal win over St. Mary's at St. Mary's Soccer Field.
This time, the Mustangs cruised to a season opening shutout to a 3-0 result over the Rattlers, who fell to 0-1.
"They have several returning players, so they were looking for a better start," MSU coach
Doug Elder said. "We're happy to win, but looking forward to a tougher match on Sunday."
That's when the Mustangs will get their first look at Incarnate Word this season. The Crusaders came away with a pair of 1-0 decisions over MSU last season. Midwestern lost just one other time last season on its way to a 18-3-2 record and a trip to the NCAA Division II Final Four.
Redshirt freshman
Craig Sutherland scored his first collegiate goal in the 33rd minute off of a great opportunity created by attacking midfielder
Rob Humphrey.
Humphrey beat a pair St. Mary's defenders on the left wing, drew another and served well-struck cross off of his left foot to allow Sutherland to finish with a one-timer.
Sutherland was at it again just two minutes later when he served a through ball over the top, allowing
Ahmad Ihmeidan to run on it to beat the St. Mary's keeper and gave the Mustangs a 2-0 lead at intermission.
Estevao Alexandre put the Rattlers away in the second half when he knocked a loose ball in the box created on a free kick from the left wing.
Free Kicks
- Midwestern State is now 20-0 against St. Mary's since the season began in 1977.
- The Mustangs have now won their last seven season openers and extended their unbeaten streak to nine. MSU last season opening loss came at the hands of California State-Bakersfield in 1999 by a score of 2-0. Oklahoma Christian tied Midwestern 1-1 in 2001.
- The Mustangs are now 8-0-1 in season openers since the
Doug Elder era began in 2000 and are 16-1-1 in campaign starters since 1991.
- MSU is now 28-6-3 in season openers, but is a perfect 7-0-0 when they begin the season on the road.
| Year |
Opponent |
Result |
Score |
| 1972 |
North Texas |
L |
1-6 |
| 1973 |
Texas Tech |
L |
1-5 |
| 1974 |
Dallas Baptist |
W |
3-0 |
| 1975 |
Texas A&M-Commerce |
W |
4-1 |
| 1976 |
Texas Christian |
W |
2-0 |
| 1977 |
Texas Christian |
W |
4-1 |
| 1978 |
Texas Christian |
T |
2-2 |
| 1979 |
Dallas Baptist |
W |
10-0 |
| 1980 |
Texas Tech |
W |
3-0 |
| 1981 |
Texas Tech |
W |
7-0 |
| 1982 |
Southern Nazarene |
W |
3-1 |
| 1983 |
North Texas |
L |
0-1 |
| 1984 |
at Southern Nazarene |
W |
4-0 |
| 1985 |
Louisiana-Monroe |
T |
3-3 |
| 1986 |
vs. Chapman |
L |
1-3 |
| 1987 |
Southern Nazarene |
W |
2-1 |
| 1988 |
at Centenary |
W |
2-0 |
| 1989 |
Centenary |
W |
3-2 |
| 1990 |
Rockhurst |
L |
1-2 |
| 1991 |
College of the Southwest |
W |
2-1 |
| 1992 |
at College of the Southwest |
W |
7-0 |
| 1993 |
Missouri Valley |
W |
4-0 |
| 1994 |
Northeastern State |
W |
1-0 |
| 1995 |
Ambassador |
W |
4-0 |
| 1996 |
Northeastern State |
W |
5-3 |
| 1997 |
at California State-Los Angeles |
W |
3-2 |
| 1998 |
vs. California State-San Bernadino |
W |
3-1 |
| 1999 |
California State-Bakersfield |
L |
0-2 |
| 2000 |
California State-Los Angeles |
W |
1-0 |
| 2001 |
Oklahoma Christian |
T |
1-1 |
| 2002 |
Regis |
W |
8-2 |
| 2003 |
St. Gregory's |
W |
1-0 |
| 2004 |
Regis |
W |
4-0 |
| 2005 |
St. Edward's |
W |
4-0 |
| 2006 |
at Metropolitan State |
W |
3-2 |
| 2007 |
at St. Mary's |
W |
4-1 |
| 2008 |
at St. Mary's |
W |
3-0 |
