Box Score NORTHAMPTON, Mass.--The Smith College soccer team is off to their best start in over a decade thanks to a 4-0 win over Clark University Saturday afternoon.

Smith improves to 3-1-1 overall, and 1-0 in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play with their third shutout win of the season, while Clark falls to 0-7, and 0-1 in conference play, with the loss.

The Pioneers outshot the Cougars by a 22-8 margin, including several shots that sailed high and wide.

Jordan Houston (Logan, Utah/Logan) got the Pioneers on the scoreboard just 19 minutes into the game, as she was tripped from behind in the penalty box, setting up Smith's first penalty kick of the season. The Logan, Utah native didn't disappoint, as she converted the free kick to stake Smith to a 1-0 lead.

The Pioneers doubled their advantage 56 seconds later. Vicki Kraft (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./Our Lady of the Lourdes) found Innis Hitt (Arlington, Va./Yorktown), who's ensuing shot sailed past the outstretched arms of Paolini. It was the first goal of the season for Hitt.

Smith could have added a third in the 57^th minute, but junior GiGi Ross (Colt's Neck, N.J./Colt's Neck)'s shot clanged off the post.

Clark started the second half brightly, as Charlotte Mays had a scoring opportunity snuffed out by Smith's Shelby Hall (West Springfield, Mass./West Springfield).

With 17 minutes to play, Houston dribbled to the 18-yard box and fired a shot to the top left corner that found the back of the net, freezing Paolini for her fourth goal of the season. The Pioneers added a fourth marker for good measure, as Emily Smith (Winchester, Mass./Winchester) beat the buzzer and scored with just five seconds remaining in the contest.

Hall made two saves as Smith shutout their opponents for the fourth time in five matches. Camryn Biasin (Lee, Mass./Berkshire) made her first appearance in goal for the Pioneers, recording three saves. Paolini made three saves in net for Clark.

Smith's 3-1-1 start equals the 3-1 start of the 2002 squad that went 12-7 and advanced to the NEWMAC Tournament semifinals.

The Pioneers will be back in action Sept. 24 when they travel to Westfield, Mass. to take on the Owls of Westfield State University. Clark returns to play Sept. 23 when they host Western Connecticut State.