BEVERLY, MASS. 3/4/09 - A second half rally fell short for the Keene State College women's lacrosse team, which dropped its season opener to Endicott College 13-10 in Beverly, Mass. on Wednesday afternoon.

The Owls fell behind 10-2 after the first half in a game that was played in 20-degree temperatures.  Trailing 13-4 at the 10:22 mark of the second half, KSC began its come back, scoring the last six goals of the game, but couldn't overcome the early deficit.

"The first half we were nervous and played young," said Katie Arsenault, who was making her Owl coaching debut.  "In the second half our offense came to life and our defense was strong.  We just dug ourselves too big of a hole."

"We showed a lot of heart coming back in the second half," she said.  "We just have to fine tune some things and get ready for our next game."

Freshman midfielder Caitlyn Corace (Mahopac, N.Y.) netted three goals to lead the Owls.  Sophomore attack Jill Kirk (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y) and sophomore midfielder Jamie Albert (Southington, Conn.) chipped in with two goals each. Sophomore attack Lauren Sawyer (Westbrook, Me.) added three assists.

Sara Gunter scored five goals, including a perfect 4-for-4 in free position opportunities for Endicott, picked No. 1 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference preseason poll. 

Owl senior goalie Jen Gearing (Westfield, Mass.) made 14 saves.  Molly Hamel stopped 11 shots for the Gulls.

Keene State hosts Mount Holyoke College in its home opener next Tuesday (4:30 p.m.).