FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Eastern Connecticut State University women's soccer team hopes that a decisive 3-0 non-conference victory over Fitchburg State University Wednesday will serve as a springboard when the Warriors open their 2014 Little East Conference season in less than three days.

At right: Kaitlin Thibodeau (11)

Wednesday, all of the Warriors' goals and one of their two assists were produced by freshmen as Eastern (4-1-1) in support of freshman keeper Katie Dadio (Hamden), who made four saves to record a shutout in her first career start (fourth appearance) and lower his goals-against average to 0.72.

Eastern remained undefeated in this six-game all-time series with Fitchburg (1-4-0). The shutout was the fifth in six years against the Falcons.

 Emily Becher (Booklyn) took over the team scoring lead with her third goal just 2:29 into action and Rachel Berkowsky (Stoughton, MA) and Rachel DeRotto (Burrillville, RI) added second-half insurance with their first career goals in the second half. Junior Kaitlin Thibodeau (Tolland) took over the team lead with her third assist on Becher's marker, and freshman Michele D'Agata (West Suffield) chipped in her first career assist when Berkowsky made it 2-0 eight minutes into the second half.

Eastern opens Little East play Saturday when it hosts Western Connecticut State University at 1 p.m. at Nevers Field. Seeded fifth, the Warriors eliminated fourth-seeded Western in the opening round of last year's conference tournament, then advanced to the final by dumping top-seeded Massachusetts Boston.