CANTON -- The St. Lawrence women's soccer team controlled play from the opening kickoff of Saturday's match with the Utica Pioneers, as Hannah Merriam scored the game winner in the second minute en route to a 4-0 shutout win for the Saints on Sandy MacAllaster Field.

"This was a great start to the year for the team," head coach Franco Bari said. "We have a lot of fresh faces and with all new teams there is a lot of trial and error."

Merriam, who finished with two goals on the weekend in the North Country Classic, was named the tournament's offensive most valuable player, while senior outside back Amy Reunert earned defensive most valuable player honors. Lindsay Geier and Kaleigh White, both of whom also scored against the Pioneers, were also all-tournament team selections.

In the second minute, White carried the ball deep into the attacking third before laying it back to a wide-open Merriam on the corner of the six who redirected it inside the far post for the Saints first goal.

Despite having a 26-0 shot advantage with 14 shots on goal in the first half the Saints only put one behind goalkeeper Allison Wagner, who was outstanding for the Pioneers, in the first 45 minutes.

But the Saints came out strong in the second half, maintaining possession from the kick and extending the lead to 2-0 just 43 seconds in when White took a through ball from first-year Emily Wade and put a shot along the ground and behind Wagner for her first goal of the year. White, who led the Saints in scoring last season, finished the weekend with four points on a goal and two assists.

Not long after setting up White, Wade collected a failed clear by the Utica defense in the box and turned for a quick shot and the third Saints goal in the 50th minute.

Geier added the fourth and final tally for the Saints in the 70th minute when she settled a cross from Nikkie Syrotiak at the right side of the six-yard box and beat Wagner inside the near post.

Wagner finished with 14 saves for Utica, while St. Lawrence keepers Jackie Sovie and Samantha Allen combined for the shutout. Sovie was untested, Allen made three stops.

The Saints outshot Utica 36-4 in the game and held a 6-1 edge in corner kick opportunities. Merriam led all players with 10 shots, including seven on goal.

"For the most part we did some really good things, especially in our attack." Bari added. "Our hope is to continue to build momentum as we prepare for conference play."

St. Lawrence will travel to WPI next Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. match before finishing its New England road trip at Roger Williams on Sunday morning at 11 a.m.

2016 North Country Classic All-Tournament Team:

Hannah Merriam, St. Lawrence – Offensive MVP

Amy Reunert, St. Lawrence – Defensive MVP

Lindsay Geier, St. Lawrence

Kaleigh White, St. Lawrence

Lauren Flynn, Clarkson

Paige Spittler, Clarkson

Victoria Goudreau, Clarkson

Allison Wagner, Utica

Claire McIlvenny, Utica

Keri Berkowitz, Utica

Victoria Benet, Rutgers-Newark

Sabrina Solorzano, Rutgers-Newark