MANSFIELD, Conn. --  In a match dominated by underclassmen, Saint Joseph's College (ME) compiled a 21-3 advantage in shots en route to a 3-0 victory over Eastern Connecticut State University in the field hockey season-opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at the Mansfield Outdoor Complex.

In the first meeting between the programs, Saint Joseph's got a pair of unassisted goals from starting junior Rochelle Messuri (Atkinson, NH) and one from freshman reserve Brenna Fitzgibbon (Exeter, NH) and racked up a 16-1 advantage in penalty corners.

Messuri's first goal broke a scoreless tie with 11 minutes left in the first half, and Fitzgibbon scored her first collegiate goal off her own rebound four minutes into the second half to make it 2-0. Messuri, who dominated offensively with her aggressive play and stickwork, took eight of her team's shots, getting two past Eastern first-year sophomore goalie Olivia Mullen (Bethel). Mullen, hampered late in pre-season with a quad pull, kicked out 12 Saint Joseph's shots in her collegiate field hockey debut.

A total of ten freshmen and sophomores started the match, four for Saint Joseph's and six for Eastern. The teams featured a combined total of 16 freshmen on their rosters.

Eastern visits Anna Maria College Thursday at 4 p.m.