STATEN ISLAND, NY - The Saint Peter's College women's soccer team defeated Wagner 2-0 in their first match of the season, earning Shawn Tarquinio his first season-opening victory as Head Coach of the women's soccer program at Saint Peter's.

Sophomore Dana Grimes scored an unassisted goal in the 36th minute, while classmate Courtney Sundstrom found net on a free kick from 15 yards out in the 77th minute. Freshman goalkeeper Caitlin Hoffer and sophomore goalkeeper Leigha Ashmen combined for seven saves to blank the Seahawks.

The first few minutes of action saw both teams getting used to the rainy, wet conditions. The Peahens got the scoring started in the 36th minute, as freshman Jamie Lisanti lined up to take the first corner kick of her collegiate career. Her effort was too strong for the Peahens to run their set play, but Grimes made the most of the situation. Playing long, Grimes received the ball and drove her defender. She made her move to gain the advantage, drilling a perfect shot for the first goal of the 2009 season. Ironically, the corner kick turned out to be the only one the Peahens took for the entire match. Hoffer made four saves to preserve Saint Peter's 1-0 lead at the 45-minute intermission, which included three shots in the last few minutes of the half.

As the weather improved slightly for the start of the second half, the Peahens prepared for a storm of a different kind - the Wagner offense. The Seahawks wasted no time pounding Ashmen, who took over for the final 45 minutes. Wagner took ten shots and six corner kicks in the first 15 minutes of play, but the Saint Peter's defense held as Ashmen made three saves.

Over the next few minutes, the momentum swung back into Saint Peter's favor as the Peahens moved the ball into the Seahawks zone after weathering the initial onslaught of the second half. Sophomore Jackie Barry sent two shots at goal seconds apart, and classmate Alex Keddie drilled a ball wide. In the 75th minute, the Peahens earned a free kick after the third straight Wagner foul. Sophomore Courtney Sundstrom lined up to take the kick, and surprised the Wagner defense with her quick pace. The free-kick specialist drilled a rope into the upper corner of the far post, giving Saint Peter's a two-goal lead. Wagner outshot Saint Peter's 17-10, and also took six corner kicks - all in the second half.

The Saint Peter's women's soccer team (1-0) will host Lafayette on Sunday, August 30th at 10:00am at Jaroschak Field.