COLUMBIA, S.C. - Kayla Folse registered a goal and assist Saturday, while Anna Gray pumped in two assists to lead Thomas to a 3-0 win at Columbia (S.C.) on Saturday afternoon at Younts Stadium. The Night Hawks, who have won six of their last seven road games, end a four-match losing streak in season openers and two-match skid to the Koalas. 

Thomas (1-0) earned its first shutout in a season opener since an 11-0 triumph at Brewton-Parker (Ga.) in 2012.

After losing by one goal each of the last two seasons to Columbia (0-1), the Night Hawks left little doubt Saturday, dominating pace of play and maintaining possession in the Koalas' end of the field for most of the match. However, neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first 45 minutes.

The Night Hawks finally broke through in the 70th minute when Whitley Anderson (1) beat Columbia netminder Morgan McCray for her first career goal with aid from Gray and Taylor Hults.

"Overall we showed our depth today," Thomas coach Julie Orlowski said. "Whitley and Taylor did very well in their first collegiate matches."

Folse (1) added an insurance goal for the Green and White in the 71st minute when she found the back of the net off assists by Gray and Linnea Roivas. In the 84th minute, Ciera McGriff-Duncan (1) scored her second-career goal against Columbia off a feed from Folse. The assist was Folse's second against the Koalas in as many games.

Goalkeeper Kara Houston (1-0) posted her fourth-career shutout, recording two saves.

"The back line did a great job to preserve the shutout," Orlowski said. "Kaleigh Premo and Katy Hanscomb were tremendous going all 45 (minutes) in the second half. Houston made a tremendous top corner save with two minutes left to keep the clean sheet.

"It was a great team effort and win today."

The Night Hawks outshot the home team, 13-7, and held an edge in corner kicks, 6-3.

McCray (0-1) made one save in the final 45 minutes. Katherine Yahnke made the start in goal and played the first half, totaling four saves.

Thomas travels to Point (Ga.) to take part in the Appalachian Athletic Conference/The Sun Conference Challenge Aug. 24-26. The Night Hawks face Truett McConnell (Ga.) on Thursday, Aug. 24 at 6 p.m. ET.