Meghan Guarente celebrates her game winning goal with Katie Oliver and Abbi Maier in Thursday's season opener vs. Stonehill. (Photo courtesy of UNH Athletics)

DURHAM – The University of New Hampshire women’s soccer team defeated Stonehill in its season opener, 1-0 at Tucker Field.

Junior midfielder Meghan Guarente (Sewell, N.J.) recorded the Wildcats lone goal as graduate student forward Katie Oliver (Leesburg, Virginia) notched an assist.

The Wildcats’ record improves to 1-0 (0-0 AE) and Stonehill’s falls to 0-1 (0-0 NEC).

Guarente gave the ‘Cats a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute of the game. Oliver stepped up between defenders and stole a pass from the Stonehill goalie.

The Wildcats outshot the Skyhawks, 22-6, while UNH took ten shots on goal and Stonehill had one. Mia Jackson of Stonehill had nine saves while Rainey had one. UNH took 14 corner kicks and Stonehill took none.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

Freshman forward Elizabeth Finn (Scituate, Mass.) recorded her first start as a Wildcat…

Oliver knotched her first assist for UNH on Guarente’s first half goal…

Guarente’s goal today was her third career game winning goal…

Rainey recorded her first career shutout with today’s win.

UNH travels to St. Paul to take on Minnesota on Sunday, Aug. 20 at 1 p.m.