Veterans Katie Stames and Hannah Merriam, as well as first-year Megan Gannon each scored on Friday afternoon, as the St. Lawrence women's soccer team rolled to a 3-0 win over Rutgers-Newark in its season opener on Sandy MacAllaster Field in the North Country Classic.

The offensive attack by the Saints overwhelmed the visiting Scarlet Knights, as St. Lawrence finished with a 21-7 edge in total shots and an 11-2 advantage in shots on goal.

Stames put the Saints in front for good in the 32^nd minute when she collected a failed clear attempt by Rutgers-Newark at the top of the box and hit a low shot that rolled under the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Diana Carvalho.

The Saints carried the 1-0 lead into the second half before Merriam added her first of the year working with classmate Kaleigh White in transition.

White carried down the left wing before hitting Merriam in stride with a through ball that gave the Elmore, Vt. native an open look at goal. She hit a hard shot across the net and into the far lower 90 to extend the St. Lawrence lead to 2-0.

With time winding down in the 87^th minute, Megan Gannon tallied her first collegiate goal for the Saints to make it 3-0 in favor of the home team. Gannon corralled a rebound six yards out after Carvalho saved an initial shot by Samantha Taillon for an easy finish.

First-year goalkeeper Samantha Allen and junior captain Jackie Sovie combined for the shutout. Allen got the start in goal for the Saints and was untested in the first 45 minutes, while Sovie made two saves in the final 45 after replacing Allen at the half.

The Saints will face Utica College on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in the second game of the North Country Classic.