CANTON -- Sophomore Stephanie Sayward scored the game's only goal 9:46 into the second half and St. Lawrence turned in a scintillating effort defensively to beat SUNY Geneseo 1-0 to win the 2010 Lotto Invitational Tournament at SLU's MacAllaster Field Saturday afternoon.

The Saints, now 2-0, won the tournament for the third straight year, beating Lasell College 2-0 in the first game of the tournament.

Geneseo, a 5-0 winner over Clarkson in its opening game of the tournament on Friday and a NCAA tournament team in 2009, gave the Saints a formidable test in Saturday's game, but goalie Abby van Geldern made nine saves and the Saint defense limited the Knights' quality scoring chances to post the shutout.

St. Lawrence had a 6-4 edge in shots playing with the wind in the first half, but could not crack the scoreboard despite a series of good opportunities with 30 minutes gone in the game. While Geneseo put the pressure on in the second half, playing with the wind, van Geldern came up with some big saves and Sayward provided the game winner.

Junior Elena Rogers started the scoring play as she took the ball through midfield and sent the ball ahead as the Saints broke into the attacking zone three-on-one. Freshman Erika Gobielle controlled the pass and sent the ball across to Sayward who shot at the top of the box as Geneseo goalie Katie Clerkin came out to challenge. The ball arched over Clerkin's head and into the net for Sayward's second goal of the weekend and the game winner at 54:46.

"This game was a good opportunity for us to sort out our strengths and weaknesses against one of the strongest teams in the region. Geneseo gave us a lot of pressure and is a very strong attacking team. They also defended well, but in the same breath, I am very pleased with how we capitalized on our opportunities," said Saint coach Franco Bari.

"Our defensive unit was incredibly solid and the team as a whole really earned the shutout," Bari added. "I am very proud of our efforts this weekend."

Saint goalie vanGeldern came up with some big saves in the second half including a big stop on Geneseo's Bella Masotti seven minutes into the second half on a corner kick. She also made a key stop on a shot by Bre Glynn with 1:11 to play in regulation to protect her second shutout of the season.

The Saint goalie made eight of her nine saves in the second half while Geneseo's Katie Clerkin made four saves. Geneseo outshot the Saints 17-10 overall and had an 8-1 edge in corner kicks.

Saint representatives on the all tournament team included Sayward, van Geldern, Gobielle and Devon Shatkin. Geneseo placed Masotti, Olivia Panepinto and Anne Beinetti. Lasell, a 3-1 winner over Clarkson on Saturday was represented by Jordynn Frollo, Jamie Harris and Molly Clarke while Clarkson's Ari Czech and Stephanie Collins completed the all star team.