SALEM, Va. – The St. Mary's College of Maryland women's lacrosse team opened the 2026 campaign Saturday afternoon (Feb. 14) down in Virginia. St. Mary's College (0-1) suffered a 17-9 setback at Roanoke College (1-0) in the Seahawk debut of first-year Head Coach Madison Heck.
 
How It Happened

• Roanoke was first to jump on the scoreboard with two quick goals by Maddie McDonald for a 2-0 lead at 13:42. Sophomore attacker Sophia Kent (Chesterville, Md./Gunston) and junior midfielder Hope Harrison (Catonsville, Md./Mount de Sales) then scored two of the next three goals to bring the Seahawks within 3-2 at 10:58.
• The Maroons went on a scoring spree, notching four straight to put up a five-goal cushion with 2:32 remaining in the half. First-year attacker Sarah Fitter (Ellicott City, Md./Marriotts Ridge) tallied her first goal as a Seahawk to make the score 7-3 heading into the second quarter.
• SMCM and Roanoke each scored twice in the second frame to go into halftime with the hosts on top, 9-5.
• The Maroons started the third period with three consecutive goals to establish a seven-goal lead before St. Mary's College responded with a 3-0 run of its own to pull within 12-8 with 14:11 left in the game.
• Roanoke put together a five-goal push to distance themselves from the Seahawks with a 17-8 advantage with 5:39 remaining in regulation.

Inside the Box Score

• SMCM edged the Maroons, 30-29, in shots while turnovers were equal at 15 apiece.
• Roanoke controlled the draws, 16-12, while posting a 20-12 margin in ground balls.
• St. Mary's College was 1-of-6 on free-position shots while the Maroons converted five of six attempts for goals.

 
St. Mary's College Game Notes

• Harrison finished as the team's points leader with three on two goals and an assist while senior captain Katelin Scala (Catonsville, Md./Mount de Sales) and junior midfielder Sanne Elling (Ocean View, Del./Sussex) each notched two goals.
• Senior captain Carsyn Smith (Crownsville, Md./Old Mill) and junior defender Claire Boudreau (Towson, Md./Towson) each scooped up three loose balls while Smith added two caused turnovers to lead the defense.
• Scala, Harrison and Elling each collected three draws to pace St. Mary's College in the circle.
• In goal, junior Allie Greeley (Havre de Grace, Md./Havre de Grace) made nine saves.

 
Roanoke Game Notes

• McDonald finished with a game-high seven goals while winning seven draw controls to lead the Maroons. In goal, Kendall Todd turned away 14 shots in Roanoke's season-opening win.

Up Next for the Seahawks

• Feb. 19 at Lynchburg (1-0) – Lynchburg, Va. (Shellenberger Field) – 5 pm
• Feb. 21 vs. Shenandoah (1-0) – St. Mary's City, Md. (JLR Stadium) – 3:30 pm

 
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