It took a while to get things moving, but the Carroll College soccer team started its season off the way it wanted to -- with a win. The Saints only scored once in the first half on a late goal, but settled their game down in the second half to get a 3-1 win over Western Baptist College of Salem, Ore., on Wednesday afternoon at Nelson Stadium.

"For the youth we have this season, we came out and played pretty well," said Mark Hiemenz, who is in his third season as Carroll's coach. "I'm pretty excited at how we look so far."

The Carroll squad only has two seniors and three juniors. The rest of the team, and the majority of the starters, are comprised of underclassmen.

Five freshmen and six sophomores played in Wednesday's game.

Sophomore Eileen Brennan scored Carroll's first goal of the season on an assist from sophomore Sarah McLaughlin.

Brennan, who scored twice in the game, came across the middle and shook the Warriors' defense to put the Saints on the board in the 24th minute.

"At the beginning of the season there's always question marks," Hiemenz said. "And you hope your players will answer those questions."

Brennan answered those questions the right way. She scored again to make the score 3-1 later in the second half off an assist from freshman Jenni Annicchiarico.

Adding to the list of underclassmen stepping up for Carroll was freshman Valerie Feltz.

Feltz shook goalie Kim Mendenhall three minutes into the second half to give Carroll a two-goal cushion.

The goal was scored on a cross from McLaughlin, who tallied her second of the game.

McLaughlin and fellow Helena High grad, sophomore Cassidy Merrick, controlled the midfield, helping keep the ball upfield most of the game.

Freshman Nikki Skaggs got the win in the goal, allowing only one score and making six saves.

"You can't ask for any more than a win in your first game," said Hiemenz. "They played really well."

The Warriors only goal came in the second half off the foot of Charissa Hunter.

"Western Baptist is a great team. They were fourth in the region last year, so I'm really happy with the way we played," Hiemenz said.