LEESBURG, Va.- Frostburg State Women's Soccer began their season with a 2-0 win over PSAC foe Shippensburg in the opening game of the D2 in the DMV Tournament.
 
FSU wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, as with just under eight minutes gone in the first half, freshman Carolyn DeSena ran forward up the left wing and fed senior Lexi Pate on the edge of the box. With her second touch, she cannoned the ball over goalkeeper Kendra Barlow and into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
 
The Raiders would get their first attempt on target by keeping a ball alive in the box, as an awkwardly hit shot from K.K. O'Donnell looped towards sophomore goalkeeper Ashley Bilger, however she was able to get control of the ball and prevent any other opportunity.
 
Frostburg would turn up the pressure for the rest of the half, outshooting Shippensburg four to zero. Senior Audra Curtin was too quick for the Raider defense in latching on to a loose ball in the penalty area, but her shot was too close to Barlow, who made the save. Sophomore Toni Fiocco-Mizer would be the next to test Barlow, as junior Anna Moyer used her strength to win the ball just outside the area, Fiocco-Mizer dribbled into the box, but her effort lacked the pace to trouble Barlow. With four and a half minutes left in the half, Moyer would test Barlow once more, with a fierce shot being tipped over the bar.
 
At the start of the second half, the Raiders started well, pressuring FSU high up the pitch, but weren't able to create any meaningful chances. Frostburg would make them pay with their second goal of the game, coming from Fiocco-Mizer. Some great hold-up play by the 5'1 forward allowed her to play a brilliant pass to onrushing sophomore Caroline Burton, who in turn fed Fiocco-Mizer on the edge of the six-yard box as she had her left-footed finish deflected into the far corner for a 2-0 lead.
 
The Bobcats would push on for a third goal, with Curtin having one of the best chances of the game on a long punt from Bilger. A misplaced Raider back-pass allowed Curtin through one-on-one, but Barlow made a kick save to prevent a 3-0 deficit.
 
Shippensburg would ramp up the pressure in the final 10 minutes, forcing Bilger into a couple of smart saves, then coming closest on a hectic sequence in the Bobcat box. A bouncing ball fell to Maddie Stichter, but Bilger was quick out of her box to smother the initial shot. The rebound fell kindly to Stichter, whose snap-shot crashed off the right post to preserve the FSU shutout. Junior Charlotte Davis would get one last chance to put a cherry on top a fine performance, as FSU had numbers on a late counterattack, but her low effort was saved by Barlow to end the scoring at 2-0.
 
The win gives Frostburg a 1-0 start on the year, while Shippensburg begins 0-1. The tournament continues for the Bobcats on Sunday, September 5 against another PSAC opponent in Kutztown, with kick-off set for 12:30 PM. For more information head to frostburgsports.com.