GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - Led by a pair of goals from Hekla Palmadottir (Akranes, Iceland), the Green Bay women's soccer team (1-0-0) powered its way to a dominating 2-0 victory in its season opener Friday night against Nebraska Omaha (0-1-0) at Santaga Stadium. The sophomore forward netted a goal in each half while firing a game high nine shots in the win.

"I thought our team put on a great performance tonight," Green Bay head coach Trevor Warren said. "We created a lot of great chances and had some opportunities to put a few more goals on the board. There are still some things to work on but it's exciting to come out in the first game and get a win at home."

Palmadottir, who played primarily as a defender during her freshman season, made an instant impact Friday in her new role as a forward. The sophomore got off several shots in the first 20 minutes of play before finally finding the back of the net from close range in the 26th minute off a nice pass from freshman forward Emily Friedl (Kenosha, Wis.). Palmadottir then added the insurance score in the 82nd minute after a feed from another freshman - midfielder Hannah Kernen (Belleville, Wis.).

The goals marked Palmadottir's first and second collegiate scores.

"Hekla is just a very smart, heady player," Warren said. "She's the focal point of our attack, so when we get the ball to her she's able to get others involved and she's also able to hit shots with her left foot. Putting her at forward is paying off, especially with all the new freshmen around her that are busy and working hard."

The Phoenix controlled much of the possession in the contest and outshot the Mavericks by a margin of 23-8, including a 12-4 advantage in the opening half. Green Bay threatened the goal several times in the first period, including on back-to-back possessions in the 24th minute when shots from Kernen and Renee Therrien (Winnipeg, Manitoba) hit the crossbar.

Two minutes later, Friedl got the ball on a breakaway down the far left side of the field where she found Palmadottir in front of the net, who knocked it past UNO goalkeeper Katelyn Tschida for Green Bay's first goal of the 2011 season.

After taking a 1-0 lead into halftime, the Phoenix came out strong and continued to control the game early in the second period. The Mavericks' first shot of the second half was perhaps their best scoring opportunity when Melanie McCormick set up for a free kick in the 62nd minute. The sophomore struck a long, well-placed shot on goal from the right side, but Green Bay's senior goalkeeper Maddie Drusch (Appleton, Wis.) was there to save it off the crossbar. Drusch finished the match with five saves while earning her 12th career shutout.

Palmadottir's late goal allowed Warren to get some of his younger players some early experience, as 17 players appeared in Friday's opener, including 10 freshmen.

In addition to the game high nine shots from Palmadottir, Friedl and Therrien both recorded three shots, while Kernen and senior Corey Arno (Winneconne, Wis.) each shot twice.

The Phoenix is next in action on Sunday when it travels to Des Moines, Iowa to take on Drake at 1 p.m. Drake is coming off a 2-0 loss to Iowa State on Friday night.

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