Box Score
JACKSON, Miss. – The Belhaven Women's Soccer team wanted to start the season with a bang by quickly getting ahead of their first opponent, Cardinal Stritch. Their wish was granted as freshman Laura Quintero placed a perfect ball over the head of the last defender which was finished by sophomore Rebecca Ontero, in the 14^th minute. The goal proved to be the difference in the match as the Blazers went on to a 1-0 victory.

Ontero was able to control the high pass and place it past the feet of Stritch goalkeeper Katy Sauvey into the webbing of the net. Ontero hopes that the win will be the first of many in the young 2012 season and described its importance in a postgame interview. “We played as a team today and deserved to win. This win means a lot for us going forward with so many new players (on the team).”

The early score ended up as the only ball to reach the back of the net, despite a few threats from the Stritch offense in the second half.

Belhaven goalkeeper Nicole Walsh, a sophomore, made two fingertip saves that kept an equalizer out of the net. With the Stritch offense keeping the pressure on the Belhaven defense, Walsh as well as defensive leaders, juniors Morgan Ogale and Chelsea DeLeon, held the fortification strong in the back. Walsh finished with 11 saves on the day, stonewalling Stritch the offense to preserve the shutout.

“Today was a well-deserved win and was a confidence builder for our young team. Rebecca putting that goal into the net is a huge building block heading into next week's match,” head coach Josue Sabillon said following the win.

“We had that one opportunity with (Ontero), she finished it and sometimes that is the difference in a game.”

The Blazers will be back in action on Friday August 31^st when they travel to Union University (TN) for another non-conference contest. The match is slated for 5:00 PM.