DALLAS (SMU) – The 22nd-ranked SMU women's soccer team extended its unbeaten streak to five matches, following a dominant 4-1 win against Sam Houston State Thursday night. Vanessa Valadez scored two goals, as the Mustangs open the season without a loss through the first five matches for the third time in program history.

With the win, the Mustangs improve to 3-0-2 on the season, while Sam Houston State evens its record at 2-2-0.

Sophomore Allie Thornton opened scoring in the 8th minute of the contest to give SMU an early 1-0 lead. Senior Lauren Harrington started the scoring opportunity after breaking away from defenders on the nearside and feeding a pass to Isabelle Nashmi. With time, the freshman midfielder carried the ball 10 yards before laying a pass off to a crashing Thornton. Uncontested, Thornton carried the ball into the 18 yard box and fired a shot from 17 yards out past Bearkat goalkeeper Christina Hendershot.

In the 32nd minute of play, Valadez scored her first of two goals and gave the Mustangs a 2-0 lead. Following a foul on the Sam Houston State goalkeeper, Valadez converted the first SMU penalty kick attempt of the season, by burying it into the low, near corner of the net.

Minutes later (39th), junior Blair Thorpe scored her first goal of the season to give SMU a 3-0 advantage. Following a clear from SMU's defensive third, senior Claire Oates found a wide-open Haley Thompson on the nearside, who sent a long cross into the box. From the far side of the penalty box, Thorpe split a pair of Sam Houston State defenders and chested a loose ball through the arms of Hendershot.

The Bearkats broke up SMU's shutout opportunity in the 71st minute, as Taylor Prichard managed to collect and finish a loose ball following a defensive save by Mary Meehan.

Valadez returned the Mustang lead to three in the 78th minute as she netted a header goal off a Thompson free kick. From the nearside, Thompson sent a curling cross into the penalty box, where Valadez managed to lose three defenders and score from eight yards out.

SMU outshot the Bearkats, 26-4, while posting 11 shots on goal. Valadez, Thornton and Nashmi led the Mustangs with five shots each, while Valadez and Thornton both posted three shots on goal. Thompson was awarded a pair of assists, while Oates, Harrington and Nashmi each received one. The offense forced six corner kicks on the night. 

Despite the goal allowed, the Mustang defense shined, allowing just four shots, all on goal, and two corner kicks. Goalkeeper Catie Brown improved to 3-0-2 on the season following 77:09 minutes in the net.

Following a week break, the Mustangs host Indiana on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. This is the second game of the four-game homestand.

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