By Mason Nesbitt, TMU Sports Information Director

As coach Curtis Lewis detailed the ways in which Southeastern University presented unique challenges for the Mustangs in Saturday’s season opener and lamented the fact that TMU wouldn’t get two or three more shots at the No. 6-ranked Fire, junior defender Kayla Peterson chimed in.

“I want to play them again,” she said.

The Mustangs didn’t leave a 3-0 defeat feeling as if they’d been wrecked before this four-game swing through Florida really got rolling. It was more like holding an incomplete puzzle they wanted another crack at.

Junior Uchenna Kanu, a returning NAIA second-team All-American for Southeastern, kept the No. 17 Mustangs on their toes for most of the match. There was reason to pay special attention.

Kanu scored 45 goals with 10 assists last season, and she was at it again in Lakeland on Saturday.

In the 50th minute, she ran onto a through ball and found herself one-on-one with Master’s keeper Lacey Lehman. Instead of rushing a shot, Kanu deftly shimmied to the outside, creating a clear path for her second goal of the game.

Southeastern scored again in the 86th minute to set the final score. The Mustangs will play again Monday when they face Warner University. Master’s will play No. 12 Keiser University and receiving-votes St. Thomas University late next week.

Peterson felt this was a good start.

“I was really proud of the way we played today,” said the two-time All-Golden State Athletic Conference pick. “I think our defense was really good. I think this is a good starting point for the next three games – and for the rest of the season.”

The Mustangs certainly created opportunities. They attempted 12 shots, five on goal. In fact, TMU outshot the Fire, 9-7, after the break.

Jasmine Logan, herself an NAIA second-team All-American, took two dangerous shots in the second half.

Master’s freshman Kyndel Borman launched a ball in the second half that was ultimately deflected over the crossbar by freshman goalie Holly Eddins, who made five saves. A little later, Hannah Bahr booted one from 25 yards out – again Eddins was there.

“We created enough that we should have scored today,” Lewis said. “So that’s a little bit frustrating. I felt that we had the better second half. They had a better first half.”

Here’s the box score.