SALEM, Ore. – The Saints allowed a goal in the opening minutes of the match; however, Kiersten Madsen tied the game in the 28th minute before Natalie Brown scored the game-winning goal in the 62nd minute and Shea McKnight added one in the 88th minute as Saint Martin's secured their first win of the 2018 season.
 
In the season opener, the match did not go the Saints' (1-0-0) way right off the bat, giving up a goal just three minutes in. However, from that point on, the Saints controlled the match, outshooting the Warriors (0-1-0) 18 to 12 and shots on goal 12 to six. Madsen, who joined her older brother Brandon, became the first brother/sister combo to score a goal on the same day in Saint Martin's history. In the second half, transfer Natalie Brown and returner Shea McKnight sealed the victory with goals as SMU clinched their first win.
 
Corban's goal just 177 seconds into the match could have put the Saints on their heels and forced them to play conservative. It did just the opposite. The Saints fired off shot after shot on the Warriors' defense before finally breaking through in the 28th minute. Madsen, who was the top returning goal scorer from last year's squad, found the back of the net for the first time this young season, and was assisted by Olivia Bianco.
 
The match remained tied, 1-1, entering halftime. The Saints quickly took their first lead of the match when Natalie Brown, assisted by Madsen, scored for her first goal in a Saints' uniform in what proved to be the game-winning goal.
 
Ali Koehler and the Saints' defense held strong after conceding the early goal, deflecting 11 Warriors' shots and making five saves. The final dagger came when McKnight scored an unassisted goal in the 88th minute, wrapping up the 3-1 road victory.

"Obviously a goal in the first three minutes isn't how we wanted to start the game," said head coach Heather Cato. "I applaud our entire team for their belief, resilience, passion, and never quit attitude. They pushed through adversity all day today earned their result."