WALTHAM, Mass. – Junior Stephanie Helin (Manchester, Conn./East Catholic) scored two goals and had one assist, and senior Alyssa Valente (New Canaan, Conn./New Canaan) netted the opening goal, as the Bentley women's soccer team defeated AIC 3-0 on Saturday to win its NE10 opener.

Valente got the scoring started in just the 12^th minute as she finished from close range, off a cross from Helin from the right wing for the assist, to put the Falcons up 1-0. That was her second goal of the season.

From that point on Bentley dominated and didn't allow AIC any significant scoring chances the rest of the way, while building on its lead.

Helin extended the lead to 2-0 in the 30^th minute with her first of the season. She took a diagonal pass from Kelly Donlon (Meriden, Conn./Francis Maloney) into the six yard box and volleyed it into the back of the net for the goal. Valente helped get the goal started with a run down the left wing and the initial pass to Donlon.

Less than five minutes after halftime Helin struck again. Sophomore Emma Guccione (Holliston, Mass./Holliston) set the goal up with a cross from the right wing that Helin volleyed home from just inside the six yard box for a 3-0 Bentley lead.

The Falcons cruised from there, as the defensive efforts and sophomore goalie Kat Hassapis (North Reading, Mass./North Reading) preserved the shutout.

With the win Bentley improved to 2-0-1 on the season and 1-0 in NE10 play. They'll be back in action next Wednesday night at Merrimack.