LISLE, Ill. (Aug. 30, 2008) – A pair of first-half goals from Shannon Finucane (Jr., DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb) and a stout defensive effort led to a season-opening victory for the North Central College women's soccer team on Saturday, as the Cardinals traveled to Benedictine University and defeated the Eagles, 2-0, in the season opener for both teams.

North Central outshot the hosts, 11-5, and permitted the Eagles just three shots on goal, each of which came after the Cardinals had already established a lead that would not be threatened. The visitors broke a scoreless tie with 30:10 still on the first-half clock, as Finucane received a pass from Laura Petersen (Jr., Herscher, Ill./Herscher) and sent it past the Benedictine goalkeeper.

Finucane struck again with just 2:55 left before halftime, scoring off a pass from Natalie Vivacqua (Jr., Wayne, Ill./Bartlett) to double her scoring output from all of last season.

Goalkeeper Amy Frazzini (Fr., Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) helped keep the Eagles off the board in the first half, with Elise Manzie (Jr., Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) coming on to finish the job in the second period. Manzie recorded three saves to preserve the shutout.

North Central opens the home portion of its schedule Wednesday, hosting Wisconsin Lutheran College. Action at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.