ROLLA, Mo. — The Southeast Missouri women's soccer team opened the 2015 season Friday evening with a 2-0 victory on the road over Missouri S&T. 

"Tonight's win over Missouri S&T was a team effort," said head coach Heather Nelson. "The defensive unit contained the Miners' attack, and did a good job of transitioning into the attack off both the pass and by taking space. Our midfield unit was determined to possess the ball, and when S&T broke up our attack, we defended with a great deal of energy and enthusiasm. On top of everything, we had a number of players earn time at the forward position. I was pleased with their attacking mentality, combination play and overall effort."

The Redhawks and Miners played to a scoreless draw in the first half. The Redhawks put up 10 shots in the half while the defense held the Miners to none. Four of Southeast's shots were on goal. Paige Blankenheim led Southeast with three shots in the opening half while Kaitlin Kuznacic and Natasha Minor each had two. Each team had a corner kick in the half. 

Jennifer Antonacci put Southeast on the board and scored the first goal of the 2015 season in the 53rd minute of the match. Antonacci scored on a breakaway 2-1 from freshman Lauren Kaempfe and beat the keeper in the middle of the box to net the first goal. It was Antonacci's second career goal. 

Minor widened the Redhawk lead to 2-0 in the 75th minute on a through ball from Valeria Jaramillo. 

Southeast finished with 24 shots in the match, 13 of which were on goal. Minor put up seven shots, tying a career-high, and six shots on goal, a new career-high. Kuznacic and Blankenheim finished with four shots. 

The Redhawks had five corner kicks in the match and nine fouls. 

Southeast's defense held the Miners to only a single shot in the match. The Miners' lone shot belonged to Rachel O'Neal. 

Kindra Lierz (1-0) picked up the shutout. Lierz played the entire 90 minutes in goal for Southeast. Missouri S&T's Carrie Levy recorded 11 saves. 

Southeast Missouri will open the home schedule Sunday at noon when they host Northern Iowa. Sunday's game will be the Annual Youth Soccer Day at Houck Stadium. All kids 14 and under wearing a youth soccer jersey will receive free admission to the game. Dr. Carlos Vargus, 18th President of Southeast Missouri State University, will be at the game for an honorary first kick prior to the beginning of the game.