NORTON, Mass.- The Keene State College women's lacrosse team saw the Wheaton College Lyons score 15 times in the opening 30 minutes and were never able to instrument a comeback, as they fell 21-9 in their season opener from Nordin Field on Saturday afternoon.

Records:

• Keene State: 0-1
• Wheaton College (Mass.): 2-0

How it Happened:

The Owls got off to a quick start to their season, scoring the first goal in the contest as freshman Haile Ratajack picked up her first career goal in an Owls uniform, just 31 seconds after the opening draw. The Wheaton College Lyons would quickly fight back, as Lilly Callahan would score the next three goals, in successive session, followed by a tally from Jessie Killburn, giving the Lyons a quick 4-1 lead just under ten minutes into the contest. After a goal to cut the Owls deficit in half by Tess Masci, the Lyons would put their foot on the pedal and fire in five straight goals, giving the them a 9-2 lead. Wheaton's Kyra Schwartzman found the twine three times in the span of four minutes to lead the charge for the Lyons in the half. Keene State senior Erica Chareth would stop the run made by the Lyons by netting her first goal of the season, but the Lyons would continue to press the Owls and would take the 16-4 advantage heading into the second half.

KSC came up with the first goal of the second half, as they did to open the first half of the contest. Down one player, it was Brigid Casey finding the back of the net, beating GK Emily Oundjian in an attempt to mark a second half comeback for the Owls. Keene State would score the opening three goals of the second half, bringing the 12-goal deficit from halftime down to a nine-goal deficit with 16 minutes on the clock. However, the Lyons continued to respond after the Owls picked up a goal. Wheaton's Jessie Killburn picked up a goal to stretch the Lyons lead back to double figures. 

Wheaton would score four consecutive goals in the final stretch, putting the contest virtually out of reach for the Owls. A free position goal while up one player scored by Haile Ratajack would prove to be the final tally of the afternoon, as the Owls would be bested in their season opener by the Wheaton College Lyons 21-9. Four two goal scorers led the way for the Owls, as Wheaton College saw Kyra Schwartzman tally six total goals on the afternoon.

Inside the Crease:

• Kyra Schwartzman (six goals, one assist), Jessie Killburn (five goals, one assist), and Lily Callahan (four goals, three assists) all led the way for the Lyons in their second win of the season. Wheaton's Casey Kaplan added a hattrick of goals for the Lyons in the win. 
• Keene State saw four two goal scorers in the contest which include Haile Ratajack, Erica Chareth, Ali Daisy, and Tess Masci. 
• Both Keene State and Wheaton College went 5-for-6 in the free position opportunities. The Lyons won 17 draw controls, beating the Owls, who claimed 15 total. 
• GK Haley Terva came away with four saves on 25 shots faced in the loss for KSC. Wheaton's Emily Oundjian came up with seven saves on 21 shots faced.
• Wheaton nearly doubled the Owls in shots, taking the advantage 40-21. 

Up Next:

• Keene State will remain on the road when they travel to Connecticut College for a 5:00 pm matchup on Wednesday March 4^th. 
• The Lyons will stay at home when they host Westfield State on Friday, March 6^th for a 4:00 pm start time.