PAINESVILLE, Ohio — Daemen (1-0) dominated Lake Erie (0-2) with a decisive 16-1 victory on Thursday in its season opener.  

The Wildcats opened with a commanding first quarter, scoring seven goals, including five on women-up advantages. The team maintained control throughout, with nine players contributing to the scoring. The Storm only managed a single goal, which came in the final quarter. 

IMPACT PLAYERS

• Maria Salvo (Clarence, N.Y.) scored four goals, including two women-up tallies, from seven shots. 
• Avery Castner (Penn Yann, N.Y.) also netted four goals and provided an assist, converting all five of her shots on target. 
• Freshman Sadie Schlesselman (Lancaster, N.Y.) contributed a goal and two assists.
• Shannen Calandra (Rome, N.Y.)  tallied two goals and added an assist, making six of her seven shots on goal. 
• Defensively, Kylie Miranto (North Tonawnada, N.Y.) recorded a team-leading three caused turnovers 
• Graduate student Camryn Day (Hamburg, N.Y.) also collected four ground balls and caused two turnovers.
• In goal, Molly Evans (Fulton, N.Y.) allowed just one goal while making three saves

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Daemen initiated the first quarter with strong momentum, as Castner scored the opening goal at 12:30, setting the pace for the visiting team. Salvo followed with a woman-up goal, assisted by Calandra, to extend the Wildcats' lead. The visitors continued their offensive push, with Ava Smith (Hamburg, N.Y.), Mikayla Myer (Geneva, N.Y.), and Ella Bouley (Auburn, N.Y.) each adding woman-up goals, capitalizing on the Storm's penalties. After another Castner goal, Calandra concluded the quarter with a goal assisted by Miranto, bringing the Wildcats' lead to 7-0 by the end of the first. 
• Daemen extended its lead with a strong performance in the second quarter, highlighted by Salvo's goal at 13:22, assisted by Adison Pollutro (West Seneca, N.Y.). Castner added to the momentum with two goals, including a free position shot at 2:52. Pollutro also contributed a goal, pushing the Wildcats' advantage further. The quarter concluded with Daemen ahead 11-0.
• The Wildcats opened the third quarter with a draw control and quickly converted it into a goal by Schlesselman, assisted by Castner, at 14:07. Following a period of turnovers and defensive stops, Salvo added to Daemen's lead with a free position goal at 7:42. Despite the Storm's efforts to respond with several shot attempts, Daemen's defense, anchored by Evans in goal, held firm. The quarter ended with Daemen extending its lead to 13-0. 
• In the fourth quarter, Daemen capitalized on a woman-up opportunity with Salvo scoring at 12:17, assisted by Schlesselman. Day and Calandra each added goals, with assists from Pollutro and others, extending the lead to 16-1.

GAME NOTES

• Salvo's four goals marked a career-high
• Smith and Schlesselman's goals were the first of their careers. 
• Ten players logged a point for the Wildcats, including nine goal scorers.
• The Wildcats finished with a 34-8 advantage in shots, including a 21-4 lead in shots on goal.
• Daemen logged 11 caused turnovers and scooped up 24 ground balls in the contest.
• The Wildcats are now 3-0 against Lake Erie

UP NEXT
Daemen heads back to Ohio on Wednesday, playing Walsh at 4 p.m. 

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Daemen University features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 17 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.

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