WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Just over a year ago, Shameeka Fishley opened the Davenport women's soccer team's season netting a hat trick against a nationally-ranked team. Although she did not reach that feat Monday afternoon, the sophomore's two goals and one assist was almost equivalent in the seventh-ranked Panthers 3-0 season-opening win over fellow 2013 NAIA National Championship participant St. Thomas (Fla.) on the campus of Northwood (Fla.).
 
Fishley scored her two goals in the span of 2:13 midway through the opening half and fellow England native Natalie McHale put the match out of the 11^th-ranked Bobcats (1-1) reach in the second.
 
Davenport (1-0) will have Tuesday off to rest up and prepare for a matchup with the host Seahawks, who are ranked fourth in the NAIA and were also a participant of last year's national tournament. The two top 10 teams meet Wednesday at 10 a.m.
 
Both teams got off to a slow start right from the opening kick, but the Panthers jumped up front at 35:21 when Tam Grzybowski delivered a cross to Fishley for the shot from the front of the goal. Shortly after, Fishley broke away from midfield to beat Bobcat keeper Christina Garwacki for the Panthers second goal of the afternoon.
 
McHale put the cherry on top in the 60^th minute when her chipped shot from 40 yards arched over Garwacki.
 
It was somewhat of a quiet day for Davenport goalkeeper Michelle Marcus, who did not need record a save but picked up her school-record 19^th career shutout thanks to a solid Panthers defense that limited the Bobcats to one shot.
 
Match Notes
Davenport wins the inaugural meeting with St. Thomas (Fla.)…The Panthers have won five straight season openers to improve the record to 5-3-1…It is the first time in 19 matches a Davenport goalkeeper did not have to make a save, dating back to Sept. 7, 2013 against Rio Grande
 
Women's Soccer Contact: Rick Hoskin | 616-871-6180 | rhoskin@davenport.edu
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