BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Midfielder Sophie Saldivar picked up where she left off at the end of the 2018 season with the game-winning goal in the 98th minute of a 1-0 win over host St. Francis at Brooklyn Bridge Park in the season opener for both teams.

Krista Kissell set up the game winner on a beautiful cross that was an exercise in persistence and execution by the junior forward. Sophomore defender Lindie Gibbs sent a ball up the right sideline to Kissell who raced deep into the Terrier end before getting tangled with defender Eva Papista.

After both players fell to the ground, Kissell beat Papista to her feet - and the ball - and sent a perfectly placed volley to the far post where Saldivar was waiting to head it past goalie Margaret Boston.

"The ball was just sitting there because everyone was stopped in reaction to the tackle," Kissell said. "When I got up and got the ball I saw Sophie running towards the back post and just did my best to get it over the defenders in the box and she made a great finish to win the game."

Saldivar, who scored the only goal of her sophomore campaign in a season-ending win over Loyola Maryland, delivered on head coach Mick Statham's preseason prediction that the Pasadena, Calif. native would be an integral part of the Leopards offense as an attacking midfielder. She finished with five shots, including a couple of near misses in regulation as Lafayette (1-0) outshot the hosts 15-4 on the afternoon.

Netting the golden goal was a relief for Saldivar and her teammates after dominating most of the possession against a program playing their first NCAA Women's Soccer contest.

"Having missed multiple shots throughout the game was a little frustrating, knowing that we were the better team and that we weren't playing to our full potential," Saldivar said. "When we went into overtime we knew we had to step it up and score if we wanted to get the first win of the year, so when Krista put in a great cross and I saw the ball in the back of the net, I was incredibly happy and I think I can say the same for the rest of the team!"

Statham was able to get game action for 22 different players, including six freshman taking the collegiate pitch for the time. One of those freshman was goalkeeper Natalie Neumann who split time with junior Maggie Pohl to combine for the shutout. Neumann came up with a save in the 66th minute to keep the game scoreless.

In addition to Saldivar's five shots, Mason Worthington and Rebecca Schreiner each recorded three shots with one on frame. Katie Butler also was credited with a shot on goal for the Leopards as she and Schreiner had two of the best opportunities of the first half which resulted in saves by Boston.

"I thought we controlled a large part of the game, but needed more quality in the final third," Statham said. "We came out hard for the OT and got the quality from Krista and Sophie that we needed."

Next up is the home opener at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium against Delaware - a team tabbed to finish in the middle of the pack of the CAA. The Blue Hens defeated the Leopards 1-0 last season at Grant Stadium in Newark, Del.