GREENVILLE, N.C. – The William & Mary women's soccer team scored three times in the first half, and senior Grace Smith made five saves in her first career start and shutout, as W&M topped East Carolina 3-0 in its season opener. The Tribe improves to 1-0 overall, while the Pirates drop to 0-1.
 
Freshman Sarah Segan and junior Rachel Moore scored in the match as W&M took advantage of an own goal as well. It was the third straight opening night victory for the Green and Gold.
 
Both teams trade chances in the first two minutes of the match. East Carolina fired a shot and had a corner kick, before junior Sami Grasso just missed a goal by inches on the Tribe's first chance.
 
W&M jumped on the board first with a goal in the 10th minute. A free kick by Moore found a wide-open senior Clara Logsdon, who headed it off of the crossbar. The rebound ricocheted to the foot of Grasso, but her shot was blocked. Freshman Sarah Segan was there to clean up the mess, and scored her first career goal. The tally gave the Green and Gold the early 1-0 lead.
 
The Tribe doubled its lead with another tally in 33rd minute. Junior Haley Kent sent sophomore Mackenzie Kober free and she fired a shot off a defender and into the back of the net. The own goal pushed W&M's advantage to 2-0.
 
With just seconds remaining in the first half, the Green and Gold added its third goal of the half. From 25 yards outs, Moore rocketed her chance, and the ball bounced off of the bottom of the crossbar and into the net.
 
East Carolina's best chance of the night came in the 61st minute. Off of a corner kick, Courtney Cash sent a shot on a target, but it was blocked by senior Haley Kavanaugh for the team save.
 
W&M finished the night with a 12-10 advantage in shots, and a 9-5 advantage in shots on-goal. Smith recorded five saves on her way to her first career shutout in her first career start.
 
The Green and Gold opens it's home portion of the schedule with a pair of games next weekend at Martin Family Stadium at Albert Daly Field. The Tribe will host the Big Ten's Maryland on Thursday, Aug. 25, and then welcome the Big East's DePaul on Sunday, Aug. 28. Kickoffs are set for 7 p.m., and 1 p.m., respectively. On Thursday night if the attendance reaches 750 fans, all fans in attendance will receive $15 off coupon to Anna's Brick Oven Pizza. The first 150 students will also receive a free Tribe women's soccer schedule T-shirt.