Too young to know any better, Colorado College opened its season in grand style on Friday.

The Tigers used a surprise rookie combination and some of that old “Stewart Field Magic” to stun the University of Dayton, 1-0, in sudden-death overtime.

The golden goal came just 1:23 into the first extra session off a header by freshman forward Lauren DiGregorio, who fought her way through heavy traffic deep in the box near the far post to convert a cross from Lynn Froetscher, one of four first-year players in the lineup for CC.

“That's a Dayton team that's going to win a lot of games,” head coach Geoff Bennett said after the dramatic non-league victory. “We're thrilled to beat an opponent of that caliber.”

Junior keeper Caitlin Hulyo finished with four saves to record her 11th career shutout.

Colorado College out-shot the visiting Flyers, defending champions of the Atlantic 10 Conference and top-ranked team in the Mid-Atlantic Region this week, by a 15-10 margin overall, including an 8-2 edge after halftime.

“We obviously were nervous to start,” said Bennett. “We had a case of the jitters in the first half, which is to be expected, considering how young we are. But our kids did a good job of regrouping. They really settled down in the second half and in overtime.” 

Katherine Boone made seven stops in net for Dayton, whose only loss last season came in the second round of the NCAA playoffs. The Flyers dropped to 2-1 in 2010.

The Tigers, who resume action at home with a noon contest against Boise State University on Sunday, started four freshmen and played seven newcomers altogether in the match.

Before DiGregorio's game winner, sophomore midfielder Hannah Peterson had CC's best chance midway through the second half of the defensive dual. Boone was able to stop Peterson's point-blank rebound attempt from in close, however, keeping the game scoreless and setting the stage for overtime.