BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford University soccer team opened its 2014 campaign in impressive fashion Friday as the Bulldogs jumped out to an early 3-0 lead against the Ole Miss Rebels and coasted to a final 3-2 decision in an exhibition contest held at the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium.
 
"I thought we played really well tonight," said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. "We have tremendous respect for Ole Miss and they are a quality team. They are definitely going to win a lot of games this year."
 
In the decisive win, Samford received goals from Amanda Abbott, Anna Allen and Malcanisha Kelley. Not including Friday's victory, the Bulldogs own a four-match winning streak against Southeastern Conference opponents. Last season, Samford swept home contests with Tennessee, 1-0, Auburn, 1-0, and Vanderbilt, 3-2.
 
Kelley, the Bulldogs' explosive First-Team All-Southern Conference performer from Childersburg, tallied Samford's first goal of the match in the 41^st minute. On the score, Kelley was assisted by University of Tampa transfer Emily Jones.
 
Just two minutes later, the Bulldogs extended their lead to 2-0 as Abbott pushed home a deflected shot off the foot of Ole Miss transfer, Heather Lacy. On Abbott's goal, both Lacy and Kelley were awarded with assists.
 
"We got off to a really good start tonight," Yelton said. "That put us in a very good position, but then I thought we kind of hit the wall there at the 70-minute mark. We struggled a bit to close it out, but I thought we played extremely well against a team that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season."
 
Samford's third-and-final goal was scored in the 63^rd minute of action to extend the Bulldogs' advantage to 3-0. Allen, Samford's talented sophomore from Vestavia Hills, registered the goal as she fired home a brilliant crossing pass from fellow-sophomore Taylor Borman.
 
Ole Miss, which is coming off its most successful season in program history, scored both of its goals Friday in the final 17 minutes of the match. Last year, the Rebels advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, posted the most wins in school history and hosted an NCAA Tournament match for the first time.
 
"Right now, we just need to continue to get better each and every day," said Yelton. "I tell our players all the time that I just want their best, and I think we definitely got their best effort out there today. I'm really happy with the way they played."
 
The Samford University soccer team will next be in action Aug. 22, as the Bulldogs remain at home in Birmingham for a season-opening contest against the Cincinnati Bearcats. Next week's match is slated to begin at 7 p.m. (CDT) at the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium.
 
"It's not going to get any easier next week against Cincinnati," Yelton said. "I know that will be a very tough match for us. They are a very hard-nosed team and I think it will be a big challenge for us, but we're happy where we are right now with this young team. A total of 15 of our 23 players are either freshmen or sophomores, so we just need to get better every day."
 
For quick score updates, breaking news and links to all of your favorite articles featuring the Bulldogs, please follow @Samford_Sports on Twitter.