The women’s soccer team started Conference USA play with two impressive showings.

On Friday night the Mustangs took on the University of Texas-El Paso. SMU shutout the Miners 2-0, and it was Olivia O’Rear who tallied both goals for the Mustangs. Her first was on a penalty kick in the seventh minute of the game. O’Rear’s second goal came with about 12 minutes left in the game.

The two goals were more than enough for the Mustang defense and goalkeeper Ashley Gunter. Gunter only had to make two saves on the game, one in each quarter, on her way to her third consecutive shutout, and her fifth of the season.

Sunday’s matchup against Colorado College provided a little more offense. It was SMU though who scored the first three goals of the game. The scoring started just four minutes into the game on a header by Carley Phillips off a free kick by Ashley Watson.

The Mustangs extended their lead in the 25th minute on a goal scored by Krystal Bailey with assists by Allison Brill and Kimber Bailey. It was Krystal’s fourth goal on the season.

Ten minutes later SMU took a three goal lead on Kimber Bailey’s fourth goal off a pass from Allison Brill in the box. The Mustangs entered halftime with a 3-0 lead.

That is how the score remained until the 72nd minute when Colorado College got themselves on the board on a shot just over Gunter by Kelly LaVoie. But just eight minutes later Olivia O’Rear hit the back of the third time on the weekend, after weaving along the baseline.

Scoring was completed in the 88th minute when Emily Bean scored on a through pass from LaVoie.

The Mustangs improve their record to 9-2-1 and open up conference play with two victories.

Once again O’Rear made a difference. O’Rear scored four goals the weekend of Sept. 15, which was her first four on the season. In only six games O’Rear has tallied nine goals to claim the team lead in goals scored and points.

The Mustangs continue C-USA play when they take on Tulsa on Friday.