CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Esmie Gonzales scored the game-winning goal off a pass from Megan Heisserer at the 80-minute mark to send Southeast Missouri (1-0) to a 3-2 season-opening victory over Southern Mississippi (0-2) Sunday afternoon in front of a crowd of more than 500 at Houck Field. 

Both Gonzales and Heisserer finished with a goal, one assist and two shots. The two assisted each other on their first goals of the season.

The Golden Eagles struck first with a goal off of a free kick from 20 yards out. The goal was made by Alice Campos, giving Southern Miss the 1-0 lead. 

SEMO tied the game at 43:05 with a goal from Morgan McCourt on a penalty kick after the Golden Eagles fouled Gonzales in the box. The game would go into halftime deadlocked at 1-1. 

The Redhawks took a 2-1 lead at the 64th minute of play on a goal by Heisserer, the first of her collegiate career. Gonzales passed the ball from the left side to the middle, where Heisserer was planted about 10 yards out and knocked it in.

Southern Miss tied the game again at the 74th minute on a penalty kick following a foul in the box. Hailey Pohevitz took the shot and evened things up.

Gonzales then scored the decisive goal. The goal came off a pass from the left side by Heisserer and put the Redhawks ahead, 3-2, with 10 minutes left.

Bailey Redden recorded four saves on the day off nine total shots.

The Redhawks hit the road to face Southeastern Conference opponents Arkansas and Ole Miss at the Ole Miss Tournament Aug. 29 and Sept. 1.