PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Katherine Sheppard scored the match-winning goal and assisted on two others Friday as the Prairie View A&M Lady Panthers mauled the Alabama State Lady Hornets 5-1 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

Alicia Cooper, Kara Ballard, Celene Batrez and Deborah Arguelles all added goals for the Lady Panthers (2-6), who face Alabama A&M on Sunday.

The Lady Panthers had little trouble exerting their will Friday, as they littered the Alabama State goal with strong shots and good looks. Sheppard netted the match-winner in the 40th minute when she took a pass into the goal box from Melissa Kalbfleisch and scored from five yards out to give PVAMU a 2-1 lead.

Early n the second half, Sheppard set up goals from Ballard and Batrez one minute apart. Ballard took Sheppard's pass and was able to score on a high, arching shot from 17 yards out, stretching the Panther lead to 3-1 in the 55th minute.

Only 61 seconds later, Sheppard's free kick into the penalty area found Batrez for a five-yard strike.

Arguelles capped the scoring with a penalty kick in the 86th minute after a PVAMU shot was handled by an Alabama State field player.

PVAMU and Alabama A&M kick off Sunday at 1 p.m. at Lady Panthers Field.