Box Score CALGARY – Lexi Pyette scored a lone goal in a 10th minute and the Carroll College women held on for the remaining 80 minutes to earn a 1-0 road win over Mount Royal Thursday night in the Saints season opener in Calgary.
 
Cassidy Hammons tallied an assist on the goal when she sent a ball to a streaking Pyette who then beat the keeper for the game winner.
 
Led by returning Frontier Conference Player of the Year, goalkeeper Jamie Carter, the Carroll defense then did what it 10 times last season, shut out the Cougars.
 
"We had a few shaky moments but overall the defense was solid," head coach David Thorvilson said. "Mount Royal had very few opportunities and when they did get a shot off Jamie made the saves."
 
Carter wasn't the only solid piece on the Carroll defense Natalie Johnston was a strongpoint backline and Brittany Girolami had a big game in her hometown of Calgary.
 
"Natalie and Brittany anchored the defense," Thorvilson said.  "They were aggressive and smart with the ball. They got the ball going in the right direction and sparked the attack."
 
Thorvilson is excited with the result considering the Saints didn't play an exhibition match for the first time in recent history, additionally the game was played in temperatures hovering in the 50s with heavy rain.
 
"I am excited to get the win," Thorvilson said. "The big thing is we didn't have an exhibition to prepare for this and we came out on top. We got a win in a place that we aren't familiar with, against an opponent that we aren't familiar with in conditions that weren't great."
 
Carroll has a rest day Friday before meeting the University of Calgary Saturday at noon to close out the road trip.