LYNCHBURG, Va. -- For the sixth straight year, Randolph and Ferrum squared off in each team's season opener and for the sixth straight time, the game was decided by one goal.

This budding rivalry added a new chapter under the lights of WildCat Stadium as the Panthers (0-1) and WildCats (1-0) continued the tradition that started in 2009.

Randolph had a chance tonight to level the opening day series between the teams at 3-3, but came out on the back foot.

Ferrum had the game's first six shots and seven of the first eight before Brittany Hammons opened her senior year in style with a goal to break the deadlock.

Sophomore Leah Hughes played a ball in a precarious position behind the defense and after Hammons's pressure forced a misplay, the co-captain dodged a defender to get the ball to her right foot 10 yards out and slotted it home.

That was enough, as first-year Quinn-Lynn Bates went the distance in goal and stopped all seven Panther shots on cage to earn her first career shutout.

Bates did a good job cutting down angles, making two stellar stops on the near post after Ferrum forward found space.

Ferrum had a dozen shots, but didn't look close to scoring in the second half until a rare misplay from Bates left the ball in the middle of the field off a corner kick, but sophomore Devon Nowicki helped clear the ball, preserving the lead.

"I think I had a pretty good performance," Bates said. "I think there's still stuff I need to work on for next game."

"Everyone left it on the field today and gave it their all, so I am satisfied," Hammons said.

The game was played in front of the largest non-homecoming crowd in the history of the program.

The team is back in action on Sunday at home against Gallaudet, with a kickoff time of 2 p.m.