ROCHESTER, NY -- The RIT women's soccer team got the 2016 season off on a high note with a 1-0 win over Mount Saint Mary College on Friday afternoon in the opening round of the Rachel Miller Memorial Tournament on Friday afternoon from sun-drenched Tiger Stadium. Anka Parzych (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) scored the game's lone goal in the 59th minute, and RIT's defense held the Knights scoreless.

"It is always good to get a win on opening day," said RIT head coach Liz Masterson. "It was a good first game to get under our belts, but there is still some work to do."

Shots were 21-12 in favor of RIT, who took six corner kicks to just one for the Knights. Kelly Rogers (Ardmore, PA/Haverford) picked up the win in net for the Tigers, making nine saves. Mary Riley took the loss for Mount Saint Mary, making five saves.

RIT applied good pressure early in the first half, generating four early scoring chances. Emily Thiel (Seattle, WA/Roosevelt) had a good chance inside the box when she turned and fired with a little over 29 minutes to play in the half. Her shot was right at Riley who was able to make the save.

Lauren Chester (Rochester, NY/Greece Olympia) had a chance with a little over 17 minutes to play in the half when she volleyed a shot first time from 17 yards out, but right at Riley who made the save. Diane Torres (Rochester, NY/Our Lady of Mercy) had a shot late in the half that just whistled wide of the net keeping the game scoreless at the break.

The Knights had a chance ealry in the second half when Destiny Ribadeneyra fired a shot from 20 yard out that just sailed over the top of the RIT net. Maeve O'Sullivan had an outstanding chance from 15 yards out, but Rogers anticipated the shot and got a fingertip on it, sending it wide of the net.

RIT broke through in the 59th minute when Jenna Valleriano (Webster, NY/Webster Thomas) made a run down the flank. She got free of her defender and sent a cross into the Mount Saint Mary penalty area. Parzych took a touch to gather the ball, then fired into the bottom left corner for her first goal of the season. Parzych had a chance to double the lead later in the half on a partial breakaway, but her shot just went wide of the net.

With 1:30 to play the Knights had a chance when Nicole Cavallo fired a from distance that Rogers was able to get underneath despite traffic in front, and make the save.

RIT returns to action on Saturday when they host Allegheny College at 4 p.m. at Tiger Stadium in round game two of the Rachel Miller Memorial Classic.