Savannah, Ga. – After waiting an extra week to start the season, Lynn University's women's soccer team finally took the field and topped Clayton State 2-0 in the opening match of the Holiday Inn Express Savannah Midtown Pirate Shootout.  Linzi Martin and Kirstie Schults found the back of the net for the Fighting Knights and Caitlin Shaver stopped six shots to earn the shutout in her first career start in goal.  

The victory improves the Blue & White's record to 4-1 in season-openers under Dutchik and 18-8-1 all-time.  This is the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

"What a great way to open the year," said head coach Chip Dutchik.  "Our team has been ready for so long to get on to the field that you never know how they are going to respond after such a long layoff.  But we got a great team effort, especially from our deep bench.  The ladies played hard and were very organized, which is something I was proud to see."

With the first game of the season rained out, the Blue & White showed a little rust over the opening seven minutes of play.  Clayton State (1-2-1) caught the LU defense out of position a couple of times, including back-to-back shots from Denisha Paskell from inside the 18-yard box, but Shaver turned away both attempts to keep the match scoreless.

A hard sliding tackle outside the Lakers' 18-yard box gave Lynn one of its first scoring opportunities and Martin took full advantage.  Sitting left of center, the sophomore midfielder struck a hard shot over the wall and past a diving Charlotte McCormack for the first Fighting Knights goal of the year.

Clayton State made several attempts to head to the locker room tied but the Blue & White defensive unit of Paige Meggison, Megan Rodwell, Lina Forsman and Brittany Garbina stifled the Lakers' attack while Shaver was able to stop two more attempts.  Lynn's quartet allowed just three shots in the second half, none of which were on frame.

The Fighting Knights managed to unload three shots in the opening minutes of the second half but it was a long-range attempt by Meghan Dolan that put the game away.  The junior midfielder launched a shot from 25-yards out but the Lakers keeper could not hold onto the ball and Schults was there to knock in the rebound.

Lynn outshot Clayton State 16-12 and was tied 1-1 in corner kicks.

The Blue & White return to action on Sunday, September 15, at 11 a.m. when they battle fifth-ranked Armstrong Atlantic.  Fans can watch the match live at LynnFightingKnights.com.  Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook and follow @LUKnights on Twitter, Instagram and Vine.