By Lara Pluska

LANCASTER, Pa. – The Shenandoah University women's soccer team opened its season on a winning note for the first time since 2013 by downing Franklin & Marshall 1-0 Thursday evening in non-league action.

Senior Alysha McCleaf scored the game's lone goal by framing her shot in the top right corner with just 3:59 to play.

McCleaf's game-winner, the sixth of her career, proved to be the only tally of the contest. The victory is the first for the club in a season opener since downing Mary Washington 2-1 to open the 2013 season.

SU (1-0) outshot F&M (0-1) 21-8 and held a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.

The two goalkeepers, Erin Septer and Shannon Johnson-Finn, split 10 saves.

"Overall, we had great execution," Shenandoah coach Liz Pike said. "We will continue to work on cleaning things up, but I am pleased with our first game performance."

The Hornets return home on Saturday for a 2 p.m. non-league contest against Juniata.

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