Heather Dean's goal just 1:12 into the match gave Stevens the early lead.

HOBOKEN, N.J. – Sophomore forward Heather Dean (Renton, Wash./Charles Lindbergh) scored in the second minute and senior forward Valerie Barnhart (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown Area) added a goal in the 31st minute to lead Stevens Institute of Technology to a 2-0 victory over New York University on Wednesday night at DeBaun Field.

The game was the season opener for both teams.  Stevens improved to 5-0 in season openers under head coach Jeff Parker.

Stevens took control early as junior midfielder Lorrie Brabender (Newark, Del./Padua Academy) fed a pass through the middle to Dean who scored on a shot to the lower right corner with just 1:12 elapsed with goalkeeper Katie Barnes drawn out of the net.

The Ducks, who held a 14-4 advantage in shots for the game, increased their lead to 2-0 at the 30:28 mark when sophomore Megan Legendre (O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon Township) threaded a pass down the right sideline to Dean.  Dean crossed the ball into the box and Barnhart one-timed a shot past Barnes from eight yards to extend the Stevens lead.

Sophomore goalkeeper Erica Midttveit (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) stopped three shots to earn the shutout for Stevens.  Barnes made five saves for NYU.

Stevens is back in action on Wednesday, September 8, with a 4 p.m. game at Montclair State.

STEVENS 2, NYU 0

NYU (0-1)         0   0  -  0

Stevens (1-0)     2   0  -  2

SIT  Heather Dean (Lorrie Brabender)            1:12

SIT  Valerie Barnhart (Dean, Megan Legendre)   30:28

Shots:  NYU 4; SIT 14

Corner Kicks:  NYU 2; SIT 2

Saves:  NYU 5 (Katie Barnes); SIT 3 (Erica Midttveit 2)