By Jordan J. Michael

ROTTERDAM –– Shutting out the first opponent of the season is always a good sign of what’s to come.

The Guilderland girls’ soccer team played tough in its season opener at Mohonasen on Tuesday and came away with a 4-to-0 victory. The Lady Dutch controlled possession for most of the game.

The Warriors went winless last year, but that shouldn’t take anything away from Guilderland.

“People may say that Mohonasen wasn’t much of a challenge, but that’s not necessarily true,” said junior Jessica Marini. “Even if they’re a struggling team, we still came out hard and kept up the pressure.”

Karah Lizotte sent an arching cross to Jenna Crupi to get the Lady Dutch on the board past a diving Michelle Baldwin in net. Moments later, Crupi handled another cross from Marissa Cubillos and tapped it in for a goal.

Crupi gave Guilderland an early commanding lead, 2-0.

“I was happy with the number of crosses because it increases the chances of a goal,” Head Coach Barb Newton said after the game. “We’re getting a lot of balls in the box, but I’d like to see more head balls.”

Newton told The Enterprise that heading the ball is a “mental toughness” issue. “I’m going to toss them some balls in practice and see where my players are making contact,” she said.

Newton is also trying to find some solid starters in the midfield position. “The front line and goalkeeper positions are set,” she said. “I need to find some full-time midfielders because it’s the engine of the team.”

Crupi, Cubillos, Michaela Maybee, Kara Carman, and Kim Weinberg are up front for the Lady Dutch and Marissa Page and Erin Kelly will be sharing time in goal this season. Page got the shutout against Mohonasen.

“We’re lucky to have two great seniors in goal,” said Newton. “Page and Kelly will be starting game-to-game for us.”

Marini put in a garbage goal for a 3-to-0 lead after the ball was knocked around in the box early in the second half. About 13 minutes later, Kyra Malamood lobbed a shot over Baldwin on a one-on-one.

Guilderland showed no mercy against the Warriors.

“We were trying to find a common ground in this first game and I think it worked,” Emily Nagle said. “We have the potential to play stronger against harder teams this year.”

The Lady Dutch had a series of scrimmages on Friday against Niskayuna, Queensbury, Baldwinsville, and Saratoga. The team won two and tied the other two games.

“It’s just a scrimmage, but those were some very good teams,” said Newton. “We felt pretty good after Friday and it’s always nice to score against Niskayuna.”

Guilderland has more of an even attack than in the past.

“The last couple of years we’ve relied on a few specific players,” Newton said. “Now, we have plenty of attackers. I don’t see any let-downs anywhere.”

The Lady Dutch play Colonie at home today at 4 p.m.

“We may have lost some key players, but the team spirit has been boosted,” said Malamood.