BEVERLY, Mass. - The Endicott women's soccer team kicked the 2016 season off with a 4-0 win over North Shore rival Salem State on Thursday evening in the opening match of the season for both squads. The Gulls return home on Saturday to take on Keene State while the Vikings travel to WPI.

Endicott got on the board in the 33rd minute behind junior forward Rachel Hanna (Chelmsford, Mass.) as she scored her first of two goals on the night at the 32:05 mark of the first half. That would remain the only tally for either side in the half as Endicott took a 1-0 lead into the break.

The second half would prove to be all Endicott as the Gulls put three more strikes on the board, all in a span of slightly more than 13 minutes. Freshman Larissa Cade (Middlefield, Conn.) started the barrage by notching her first career goal in the 61st minute off a Sharlotte Pernice (West Springfield, Mass.) assist. Hanna would continue her impressive night with her second tally that also came via a Pernice assist in the 70th minute. Sophomore Mary Verneris (Hamden, Conn.) would conclude the scoring for the night with her first career goal in the 74th minute to give the visitors a 4-0 lead.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The Gulls improve to 7-6-6 all-time against the Vikings. Endicott has now won the last two by a combined score of 7-0 after a 3-0 win opened the 2015 season.
• Hanna's two goals now give her five for her career after she tallied three in her sophomore campaign.
• Pernice started off her 2016 campaign in style, recording her first multi-assist match of her career.
• Hanna's two goals made it the second straight season a Gull has netted two against the Vikings as she joined teammate Lexi Burgess (Hebron, Conn.) who notched two in the 3-0 win in 2015.
• Caroline Armbruster (Stowe, Vt.) made three saves in her sixth career shutout and first of the season after she posted five in 2015.

FOR THE FOES

• Salem was led by senior captain Victoria Clancy (Dorchester, Mass.) who registered two shots, one of which was on frame.
• Keeper Amanda Backe (Danvers, Mass.) made eight saves in the setback.

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott returns to action on Saturday when they kick off their 2016 home schedule by hosting Keene State at 1:00 p.m. The Gulls will be looking to avenge a 1-0 loss in 2015. Salem St. will return to action on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. as well when they travel to Worcester, Mass. to take on WPI.