Charlton Kelly's goal in the 45^th minute helped the St. Lawrence University men's soccer team open the 2018 season with a 1-0 win against Heidelberg University in the first game of the North Country Classic on Sandy MacAllaster Field Friday afternoon.

Sophomore goalkeeper Ben Kelty made his first career start and stopped all four shots he face en route to his first collegiate shutout.

"It felt good to get the first win of the season and it's always important to get that first win at home," said head coach Mike Toshack. "Heidelberg was a high quality opponent and you can see why they were in the top-20 at times last year. I was very pleased with the whole team, including debuts from Kelty, who kept a clean sheet starting in goal, Quinn Houseman and Raphael Zoccolaro, who made their first collegiate starts and finally Charlton Kelly for scoring the winning goal."



With time winding down in the first half, Zoccolaro tried to put a shot through traffic at the edge of the box that was blocked by a Heidelberg defender and popped high into the air. Goalkeeper Jake Kress came off his line to try to corral the loose ball, but mishandled the catch and it skipped to Kelly on the far post for an easy finish into the open net for the team's first of the season and the game winner.

The Saints outshot the Student Princes 17-7 with a 5-4 advantage in shots on goal. They also took 10 corner kicks to Heidelberg's three.

Kress finished with four saves for the Student Princes.

The Saints will return to Sandy MacAllaster Field for the second half of the North Country Classic as they face Alfred University at 12 p.m. Saturday, September 1.