PURCHASE, N.Y. - Bard College senior Avalon Qian scored 78 seconds into the game, and the Raptors dominated a non-league game, winning at Purchase College, 3-1, on Wednesday night.

At 5-1 overall, Bard is off to the best start in the history of the women's soccer program. The previous best was a 4-1-1 start in 2006.

But here's the catch to Bard's flying start: Nine of Bard's remaining 11 games are Liberty League contests, and the Raptors have three conference wins - all in the last two years - since joining the Liberty League in 2011.

"Tonight wasn't pretty, but we got it done," Bard coach Bill Kelly said. "It's encouraging to own the best start in program history, but the timing of it is interesting. It's right before Liberty League play starts.

"We're feeling like this is the end of our preseason, and the real season is about to start," Kelly continued. "The real challenge is the Liberty League season, and that's when we're going to find out what we're really made of."

A through ball from Dylan McDonald found Qian in the second minute, and she put it away to give Bard a 1-0 lead. The Raptors outshot the Panthers, 12-3, in the first half but still only led 1-0.

Caroline Gluck scored from 25 yards out off an assist from Qian in the 60th minute, and Dylan McDonald blasted home a free kick in the 65th minute to make it 3-0. Purchase (1-5) scored on a penalty kick soon after, and that closed out the scoring.

Bard outshot Purchase 26-4 and collected six corners to none.

The Liberty League opener is on Saturday afternoon at RPI. Follow the action live right here.