ANDERSON, S.C. - Totaling 26 shots for the match, Anderson University women's soccer notched its first victory of the season, cruising to a 2-0 win over Division II newcomer Southern Wesleyan Thursday evening at Trojan Stadium.

The win marks the first time the Trojans have won a season opener since AU blanked Converse at the start of the 2010 season. That victory was the first of three straight to begin the year, marking Anderson's longest winning streak to begin the year in the past five seasons.

SWU drops its first contest of its inaugural match within Division II after moving from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics prior to the start of this year.

For the match, AU outshot its opponent 26-3, while troubling SWU goalkeeper Krista Anonie 13 times for two goals. Anderson freshman Rachael Whaling caused the most problems for Anonie as she netted both of the Black and Gold's goals, marking the first two goals of her collegiate career.

Whaling closed the match with three total shots, while fellow newcomer, junior Mariana Poveda tallied six shots with three coming on goal. Sophomore Paige Gowans-Smith matched Whaling's total with two shots on goal, while the quartet of Jacklyn Kubiak, Anna Masdottir, Maddie Volz and Emily Cowan each posted a shot on goal.

Sophomore goalkeeper Sadie Lancaster closed the contest with two saves, en route to her second career clean sheet.

After going into the locker room scoreless, the clouds began to darken and the match was delayed 45 minutes due to lightning in the area during the halftime break. Anderson closed the opening period with 12 shots and held the SWU attack to just one.

Once the lightning cleared Trojan Stadium, the Black and Gold made it on the scoreboard when Cowan drove the ball into the box from the left side and found the foot of Whaling. Whaling's flick beat Anonie to her left and the Trojans posted their first goal of the season.

In the 68th minute, Whaling was on the attack again after Cowan sent a corner into the box. After the ball was punched around in the box, it finally found Whaling who hit the back corner, sealing the Anderson victory.

The Trojans look to make it two straight victories when they hit the road for the first time in 2014. AU visits in-state opponent North Greenville on Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff.