Aug. 26, 2005

Box Score

TEANECK, NJ - Junior transfer Christine McCartney (Ottawa, Ontario) made an immediate impact in her first game as a Knight, scoring two goals and assisting on a third to lift the Fairleigh Dickinson University women's soccer team to a 3-0 shutout of Syracuse in their season opener on Friday afternoon at University Stadium.

McCartney opened scoring with three minutes remaining in the first half when she took a cross from senior Kristen Habenicht (New Hyde Park, NY) and tapped it in to put the Knights on the board.

McCartney found the back of the net again with 12 minutes remaining in the second period after rebounding her own shot. Sophomore Tonya Hipsman (Chester, NY) sealed the win eight minutes later, blasting in a shot after dribbling down the right side of the field, going one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

"I believe in this team," said Head Coach Peter Gaglioti. "McCartney is a proven goal-scorer and Tonya Hipsman came back ready to play. We were definitely dangerous at times and scrappy at other times. All around it was a solid effort and performance. From here we can build and take each game as it comes."

Junior transfer Kyla Clark (Ottawa, Ontario) was in goal for the Knights, making seven saves in her first career start and notching a shutout. Senior Emily Kowalczyk (Dayton, OH) played between the posts for the Orange, grabbing six saves.

Syracuse had its best chance to score off a corner kick 12 minutes into the first half after a scramble in front of the net resulted in two shots, one saved by Clark and the second going wide. The Orange had an opportunity again with 12 minutes remaining in the game, but senior Danielle McAnally (Wallingford, PA) knocked it away.

"This is a big win for us and a great way to start the season," said Gaglioti. "We played a strong opponent from a quality conference and our defense was strong, but it's still early in the season. It's about improving every step of the way and now we look toward Rutgers. If we come out with same effort and energy against Rutgers, using the things that worked well this afternoon, while polishing and refining the other areas, we'll surprise them as well."

The Knights are back in action Sunday, August 28th at 7:00 p.m. at Rutgers.