Karlie O'Keefe (Sylvania, Ohio/Northview H.S.) scored twice on Thursday evening as Lourdes' second attempt to open the 2018 season was a successful one, as the Gray Wolves defeated La Roche 4-0 at the Baierl Athletic Complex in Pittsburgh, Pa.
 
The Gray Wolves, which had their original season opener cancelled last Saturday due to lightning at Indiana East, improved to 2-1-1 all-time in season openers.
 
"I was pleased to start the season off with a win," head coach Jackie Phillips said after the contest.  We saw some quality finishing and moved the ball well today."
 
O'Keefe scored the first goal of the season less than nine minutes into the match with Cassie Stitt (Boardman, Ohio/Boardman H.S.) drawing the assist.  The junior added the final tally of the match as well, less than three minutes into the second half, with an unassisted goal, the eighth of her career.
 
A pair of freshmen also found the back of the net in their collegiate debuts, both scoring in the first 19 minutes as Lourdes built a 3-0 lead at halftime..  Morghan Russell (Mansfield, Ohio/Madison H.S.) scored off a Maria Schmidt (Rockton, Ill./Boylan Catholic H.S.) assist while Erin Caldwell (East Lansing, Mich./East Lansing H.S.) found the back of the net with an unassisted tally.
 
Lourdes outshot La Roche, which was playing the match as an exhibition contest, 20-11, including 12-6 on goal.  The Gray Wolves held an 11-3 shot advantage at halftime.
 
Kerstyn Williams (Taylor, Mich./Woodhaven H.S.) went the distance in goal for the Gray Wolves, making six saves for her second career clean sheet.  Jessica Welka made four first half saves for the Redhawks while Isabelle Orange made four second half stops.
 
Lourdes (1-0) will have a short turnaround time before returning to the pitch on Friday evening.  The Gray Wolves remain in Pittsburgh to face Point Park in a 6 p.m. kickoff at Highmark Stadium.
 
"We will look to build on the momentum from tonight for tomorrow's game," Phillips concluded.