AMHERST, N.Y. - It didn't take long for Kacey Bougard (East Aurora, N.Y./Sacred Heart) to make her presence felt on the pitch again.  The senior striker, who last played in 2010 when she put together a 25-point season, re-emerged today with three goals and an assist to lead the Daemen College women's soccer team to a 4-0 victory over Alderson-Broaddus College at Dimp Wagner Stadium in today's matinee affair.

"I thought we were fantastic today, especially considering the many unknowns that come with the start of a new season," said head coach Dan Dolan.  "We did a nice job keeping the ball and playing out of our system.  I was really impressed with Kacey.  She picked up right where she left off in 2010.  Defensively, we were solid again as we were for much of the second half of last season."

Bougard got Daemen on the board early, scoring in the 13th minute of the contest.  She sent home a hard, high shot from the middle of the box after a further attempt from senior Samantha Engel (Dryden, N.Y./Dryden) was blocked in front by a Battler defender.  The ball caromed right to the awaiting foot of Bougard who burried the chance to put the Wildcats ahead.

The Wildcats (1-0) and Battlers (0-1) went into halftime with just the one goal scored in the opening frame.  That wouldn't remain the case however as Daemen added three more goals in the first 18 minutes of the second half.

Bougard broke loose up the left sideline and found Engel with a crossing feed in the 52nd minute.  Engel took the pass and sent a one-timer just inside the right post to put the Wildcats ahead by two.

Minutes later, the seniors reversed roles as Bougard headed in a corner kick struck by Engel, giving Daemen a 3-0 edge.

Bougard added her third of the game, the 13th goal of her career, in the 63rd minute.  Sophomore midfielder Ashley Griffin (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park) found Bougard streaking through the Battler defense near midfield.  Bougard carried the ball briefly and then sent a high, looping shoot over net-minder Sarah Turner as she retreated back to the goaline area.  It was the third multi-goal game of Bougard's career and her first "hat trick".

Between the pipes, redshirt freshman Kathryn Haessner (Moravia, N.Y./Moravia) earned the start and picked up the win.  She made eight saves and shared the shutout with senior Rachel Reichart (Marilla, N.Y./Iroquois Central) who came on in relief in the 72nd minute.

The defensive trio of Hannah Fraser (Milton, Vt./Milton), Meghan Lipinoga (N. Tonawanda, N.Y./Canisius College) and Meghan Diehl (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas) stood tall in front of the Daemen goalkeepers all game long.  Today's game marked the Wildcats' fifth shutout in their last six outings dating back to last season.

The result today moved Daemen's win streak in season openers to five straight.  Daemen also improved to 2-0 all-time against Alderson-Broaddus.  The Wildcats and Battlers, of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, met on Oct. 13 last season with Daemen winning 3-1 in Philippi, W. Va.

The win was also the 100th in the history of the program which was founded in 2000.  Nearly half of the those wins (45) have come during the Dan Dolan Era (2009-present).

Dolan's squad returns to action tomorrow when they host the University of Maine-Fort Kent Lady Bengals in a rematch of the 2012 United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Championship Game.  Daemen defeated UMFK 1-0 in overtime, snapping the Lady Bengals' 33-game unbeaten streak to secure the USCAA national title.  Game time is set for 5 p.m. from Dimp Wagner Stadium.