SALEM, Va. – The St. Mary's College of Maryland women's lacrosse team dropped their season opener Saturday afternoon (Feb. 17) as their second-half rally came up just short. St. Mary's College (0-1) succumbed to a 12-11 season-opening loss to No. 16 Roanoke College (1-0) despite a combined 10 points from juniors Colin Horton (University Park, Md./Elizabeth Seton) and Hailey Betch (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park).
 
How It Happened

• Roanoke went up by two goals twice in the first quarter, but Horton sent the Seahawks into the second frame knotted up at 4-all with consecutive goals in a 44-second span. Horton netted all four of the team's first period scores.
• Neither team could create separation in the second stanza with the Maroons scoring the first two goals followed by SMCM notching the next two to keep the game tied (6-6) at halftime.
• The hosts opened the second half with a 4-1 run to stake their first three-goal advantage of the game, 10-7, with 4:36 remaining in the third. Junior midfielder Madison Laine (Kingsville, Md./Mercy) and Betch each found the back of the net to pull the Seahawks within one as the game headed into the final quarter.
• Grace Koutouzis helped the Maroons regain a multiple-goal lead with a goal and an assist, giving Roanoke a 12-10 lead at 4:03. Sophomore defender Kendall Curry (Towson, Md./Notre Dame Prep) found Laine at 3:28 to close the gap to one with 3:28 remaining in the game. However, the Maroon defense stood strong, forcing St. Mary's College into two turnovers and holding the visitors without a shot in the waning minutes.

Inside the Box Score

• The Seahawks outshot Roanoke, 31-24, and edged the hosts, 19-16, in ground balls as senior captain Rachael Freeman (Baltimore, Md./Friends) scooped up a game-best four loose balls.
• The Maroons gained the upper hand in draw controls with a 13-11 margin.

 
St. Mary's College Game Notes

• Betch tallied a game-best six points on three goals and three assists.
• Horton finished with a game-high four goals and won a game-best six draw controls.
• Laine contributed two goals while senior attacker Bella Dunigan (Catonsville, Md./Catonsville) dished out two assists.
• In addition to her four ground balls, Freeman added two caused turnovers and a draw control.
• First-year goalie Allie Greeley (Havre de Grace, Md./Havre de Grace) picked up her first career start and made nine saves in her collegiate debut.

 
Roanoke Game Notes

• Roanoke is ranked 16th in the Inside Lacrosse Women/Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Division III Preseason Poll, which came out January 29.
• Koutouzis paced the Maroons with four points on three goals and an assist while Kyleigh Chickering came up with 13 stops.
• St. Mary's College holds a 12-4 lead in the all-time series, but Roanoke has won the last two meetings – both in Salem.

Up Next for the Seahawks

• HOME OPENER: Feb. 21 vs. Washington College (1-0) – St. Mary's City, Md. (JLR Stadium) – 5 pm

 
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