McShane Sneath's goal 31 seconds into the second half served as the game winner on Saturday afternoon, as the St. Lawrence University field hockey team edged Skidmore 2-1 in the Liberty League season opener in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The win marks the first time the Saints have beaten the Thoroughbred since 2009, as Skidmore had won the last nine meetings between the two teams. With the win, the Saints improve to 3-4 overall with a 1-0 record in conference play, while Skidmore is also 3-4 overall but drops to 0-1 in Liberty League action.

"Kudos to the team on a great effort," head coach Fran Grembowicz said. "I'm really proud of us for being able to play with poise and composure under pressure. Obviously in the second half they put a ton of pressure on our defense and Sydney Giacin and we just responded and got the job done defensively."

Giacin finished with 10 saves for St. Lawrence, including six in the second half. While shots were even 6-6 after the first 35 minutes, the Thoroughbreds outshot the Saints 9-2 in the second half while making their comeback bid and finished with a 15-8 advantage in total shots and 11-7 edge in shots on goal on the day. Skidmore also took 20 penalty corners to the Saints' three, including two after time had expired.

Lucy Stillman opened the scoring with a penalty stroke goal in the 34th minute, as she lifted a shot into the top left corner of the cage out of the reach of Skidmore goalkeeper Elizabeth Coughlin to put the Saints in front 1-0 at the half.

Just 31 seconds into the second half, Sneath tallied her second goal of the season with a quick shot off a centering pass from Isabel Thompson for the eventual game winner which, at the time, put the Saints in front 2-0.

Skidmore's Gabby Hyman cut the lead in half with a shot off a penalty corner that beat Giacin in the 51st minute, but that would be all the Thoroughbreds would get on Saturday.

"The entire team did a great job with playing super defense all over the field," Grembowicz said. "We also did a remarkable job passing the ball, getting back to our Saints' passing game that has brought us a lot of success in the past and that makes a huge difference in our game."

The Saints will continue their Liberty League schedule at Rensselaer (RPI) next Saturday, September 29 in Troy, New York at 11 a.m.