EASTON, Pa. – The trio of Jane Kirby, Mairead Janzer and Emma Novick combined to score 12 of Lafayette's 18 goals to lead the Leopards to a season-opening 18-3 win over a young and shorthanded Lancer lacrosse team on Sunday.

The three sophomores had four goals each, scoring eight of the Leopards' 12 first-half goals, including the first four of the contest.

"We definitely did not play our best today, which was very disappointing," said fifth-year head coach Elaine Jones. "Although we have a young team, that's not an excuse. Our offense needs to settle down and step up and score goals, while our defense needs to make stops."

Turnovers doomed the young Lancer squad for the second-consecutive game, committing 30 and 28 fouls in the loss. Lafayette also won the battle of ground balls (30-16), draw controls (13-10), caused turnovers (17-7) and shots on goal (30-6).

"We also need to cut down on our turnovers. We had some great defensive stands today, then we lost the ball in transition, which allowed Lafayette a fresh 90 seconds on the shot clock and another opportunity to score," Jones said.

Longwood was without starting defender Hollyn Royster, who picked up a ground ball and won two draw controls for the blue and white in their season-opener against Navy.

Sophomore Stephanie Roberts led Longwood with her two goals, her team-leading third of the 2017 campaign. The Baldwinsville, N.Y., native finished second among rookies last season with her 11 goals and led the newcomers in ground balls with 20.

Sunday's matchup was also the first time Roberts has led the team in scoring in her career, playing in 11 of the Lancers' 18 contests a season ago and starting both games in 2017.

Junior midfielder Madison Stair got the scoring started for the blue and white with her second goal of the season, coming off a stellar sophomore campaign where she tallied 41. The goal also extended a five-game streak in which the preseason All-Big South selection Stair has found the back of the net, collecting seven goals in that stretch dating back to the 2016 season.

Stair's goal stopped a three-goal stretch from Lafayette to open the contest before the Leopards went on an eight-goal run between Lancer strikes.

Senior goalie Chelsea DiIono got her first start of the season in the net and collected three saves before junior Imani West came on in relief, collecting nine.

Freshman Laura O'Toole also got her first action of the season in goal, allowing one goal in five-plus minutes. Fellow freshman Lexi Davis added an assist to give her back-to-back games with a point to begin her Longwood career.

"The goal this week will be to tighten up those areas in preparation for the George Washington game on Saturday," Jones said.
 
The Lancers open their home schedule against George Washington on Saturday, Feb. 18 at Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field at the Longwood Athletics Complex. First draw is set to go up at 1 p.m.

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