RINDGE, N.H. – The Westminster women's soccer team opened the 2016 season by picking up a 1-0 win over Caldwell on Friday afternoon at the Franklin Pierce Classic.
 
Westminster (1-0) scored the game's only goal in the 16th minute when Madison Roemer put a shot off the keeper's hands and into the goal. Tiana Cerciello played the ball to open space where Roemer could take the shot. It was the 10th career goal for Roemer, moving her into a tie for 10th on the Westminster all-time list.
                           
"This was a solid first game overall," Westminster Head Coach Tony LeBlanc said of the win. "I thought we came out very strong in the first half. Our goal was fantastic build up that we have been emphasizing in practice."
 
The Griffins dominated most of the action as they posted a 17-5 advantage in total shot attempts. They put nine of those chances on goal and took four corner kicks. Caldwell (0-1) had a 6-4 edge in corner kicks, including a late attempt in the 89th minute.
 
"The second half it started to look like the first game of the season," LeBlanc added. "We weren't quite as sharp, but still generated chances without giving up many."
 
Cerciello took five of the team's 17 shots and put three of those on target. Roemer took three shots – all on goal – and Heidi Lorschider took two shots.
 
Breanna Empey earned the win in goal and secured her second career shutout.
 
Westminster will conclude the weekend trip on Sunday when they face Felician at 10 a.m. MT.