It took the Dominican University women's soccer team just 2:37 into the new season to net their first goal of the season and the route was on as the Stars cruised past the Principia College Panthers 5-0 at West Campus Field on Friday evening to the open the 2017 campaign.  The Stars outshot the Panthers 14-5 for the match, allowing just one shot through to goalkeeper Abbey Brown, who picked up the win in goal in her first collegiate action.
 
Senior Lexi Kiotis tallied what proved to be the game-winner in just the third minute of play after Tania Paez created a turnover out near the center circle before slipping through the Panthers' backline to lead Kiotis to goal.
 
Paez then tallied a pair of goals of her own, scoring in the 15^th and 21^st minutes to give the Stars a 3-0 advantage at the half.
 
The Stars kept the pressure on Principia in the second half, adding to their lead in the 53^rd minute when Josseline Williams found the back of the goal and again in the 58^th minute when Alyssa Messina beat the Panthers' goalkeeper for her first tally of the season.
 
"We came out sharp and got on the board quickly," commented Dominican's fourth-year head coach Carlos Carrillo. "We were looking to get off to a good start and settle down and remain composed throughout the game."
 
The Stars will enjoy a recovery day on Saturday before returning to action on Sunday, hosting the Fontbonne University Griffins for a 2:45 p.m. kickoff in River Forest.