BANGOR, Maine – Saints women's soccer posted five goals on Friday afternoon, opening their 2024 campaign with a 5-3 victory in non-conference action against the Husson Eagles at Boucher Field.

The five goals are the most the women's program has scored on opening day in at least 20 years, improving to 1-0-0 with the victory. Husson drops their home opener and first game of the campaign, falling to 0-1-0, despite a strong three-goal performance.

Emmanuel opened the scoring in the sixth minute off a corner kick by junior Liz McCormick. The cross found the head of fellow junior Annebel Balogh de Galantha, who headed home her first of the season from six yards out, giving the Saints a 1-0 edge.

Husson evened up the game late in the opening half, with first-year Hailey Tarbox registering her first collegiate goal, firing a bouncing ball inside the 18-yard box past the Emmanuel goalie, knotting the game at 1-1.

Emmanuel responded just two minutes later, in the 41st minute, with McCormick shooting from 25 yards out with a shot that hit the crossbar and dropped down into the goal, giving the Saints a one-goal advantage at the half.

The lead expanded shortly after halftime with junior Sarah Dullaghan netting her first of the season, thanks to a Husson turnover, deep in their end. Junior Loliana Morales found the back of the net in the 67th minute for her first career collegiate goal, helping Emmanuel to a 4-1 lead.

The Eagles pulled one back in the 73rd minute with senior Natalie Aviolla scoring her first of the year, cutting the deficit to 4-2. Three minutes later, Emmanuel reestablished their three-goal edge with sophomore Adriana Melaragno scoring her first career collegiate goal. Aviolla added another tally in the 77th minute, ending the scoring for the afternoon in Emmanuel's 5-3 victory.

Saints junior Gaby Baker made a pair of saves in the victory, notching her first win of the 2024 year. Eagles goalie Hannah Kenney made four stops for the home side but drops to 0-1 with the decision.

The Saints return to play on Wednesday, Sept. 4, in their home opener at Clemente Field. They welcome Fisher College for a 7:00 p.m. match. Husson is back in action on Tuesday, Sept. 3, when they travel to Lewiston to take on Bates College for at 5:00 p.m.

*Portions of this release courtesy of the Husson University Athletic Communications Department