WATERVILLE, Maine –  Freshman Adela Kalilwa (Lewiston, Maine) broke open a scoreless draw in the 39th minute to record her first intercollegiate goal and the University of Southern Maine Huskies flooded the nets with four second-half goals to earn a 5-0 season-opening win over the Thomas College Terriers Thursday evening at Smith Field.

With the win, Southern Maine opens its 2016 campaign at 1-0, while the Terriers playing in their season-opener fall to 0-1.

Southern Maine dominated the statistics outshooting Thomas 20-2 (10 on goal), including 11-0 in the first half.  The Huskies' also had a decisive 10-0 edge in corner kicks.  USM sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Canastra (Fairhaven, Mass.) made one save to earn her first career shutout, while Thomas goalkeeper senior Paige Leary (Palermo, Maine/Erskine Academy) made five saves in the loss.

Kalilwa scored her first collegiate goal on an assist from classmate Emily Baker (Brunswick, Maine/North Yarmouth Academy) and junior Hannah Nofsker (Newton, N.H./Sanborn Regional).  Dominating play, USM took its 1-0 lead into the halftime break. 

The Huskies' wasted little time doubling their lead, scoring their second goal of the game in the 48th minute as junior Jessica Preble (Milo, Maine/Penquis Valley) found the back of the net off of an assist from senior captain Hana McNally (Burlington City, N.J./Holy Cross).  The Huskies added three more goals – all unassisted -  to secure the win in the 55th, 60th and 64th minutes.  Junior Alexa Cicolini (Methuen, Mass.) made it 3-0, before McNally added a goal to her earlier assist for a 4-0 USM advantage.  Sophomore Ally Little (Stoneham, Mass.) capped USM's scoring with her first collegiate goal for the 5-0 final.

Southern Maine remains on the road for a non-conference game at Elms on Saturday (1:00 p.m.).  Thomas College hosts Curry in a non-conference tilt on Monday (7:00 p.m.). 

–cac–