Saranac Lake- For the first time this season, the Saints entire starting lineup was on the field together. And the results were immediate as North Country struck early and often beating Niagara County CC 10-0 Saturday. 

The Saints struck just 39 seconds in when right back Averi Fields took a pass from Alyssa Summo and put it home from 25 yards out. It was the sophomore's first career goal.

Just 90 seconds later, Kate Kavanagh would strike on a feed from Chloe Flannaghan to make it 2-0 and the route was on. Kavanagh added her second just 3 minutes later, again from Flannaghan for a 3-0 Saints lead. 

Freshman back Cassidy Rushby scored her first career goal just 1 minute later firing a left-footed shot into the top corner. Mikenna Valentine assisted on the goal before adding one of her own just 3 minutes later. Sydney VanNest assisted on the goal to make it 5-0 just 9 minutes into the game. 

"I liked our energy that we came out with." said Saints Coach Kent Egglefield. "The girls were fired up to finally have the first 11 back and it showed."

Carlijn van der Smeede, Alyssa Summo, and van der Smeede again would all add goals in the half to take an 8-0 lead into halftime. Flannaghan, Summo, and Charlotte Young picked up the assists. 

Valentine and Abby Hart would each strike in the first 7 minutes of the second half before North Country called off the attack. Flannaghan and Valentine got the assists. 

"Today was good. we used the a lot of the first half and the second to get everyone a lot of game time." Egglefield said. "We worked on possession and switching fields a lot to get the chemistry back with the first unit." 

On the day, Valentine would score 2 goals and 2 assists; Kate Kavanagh and Carlijn van der Smeede added 2 goals each; Alyssa Summo a goal and 2 assists; and Chloe Flannaghan 4 assists.

Alison Van Schaik turned aside 3 shots for the shutout. Kylee Peterson had a strong game defensively locking down Niagara's main scorer. 

"It was a great team win, and even better to have Chloe back out there. Mikenna and Kate have kept us going offensively without her, and now that she's back, everything just kinda fell into place today. We looked like the team we set out to be finally." added Egglefield. 

The Saints hit the road to take on Herkimer on Saturday the 8th. 

GOAT of the Game

Our GOAT of the game goes to Charlotte Young, a defender from Rugby, England. Charlotte played multiple positions for the Saints Saturday, and was aggressive and focused from the start. Charlotte also picked up her first career point with a first half assist. Her willingness to play anywhere and do what was needed for her team showed her strength and value. We are very excited with the level she has taken her game to. Congrats Charlotte!