WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Feb. 27, 2011) - Senior midfielder Grace Golden equaled a single-game school record with eight goals to help lift the William and Mary lacrosse team to an 18-13 victory against Richmond in its home opener on Albert-Daly Field at Martin Family Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Golden's outstanding effort came on just nine shots and equaled the previous record established by Jaime Sellers against Longwood in 2008. The Manhasset, N.Y., native also tallied an assist to finish the afternoon with nine points, which ties for the second-best single-game total in school history. Additionally, her stat line included five draw controls, which equals her career high, two caused turnovers and a ground ball.

Senior attacker Ashley Holofcener also posted an impressive performance against the Spiders (0-5) with six points (4g, 2a), three caused turnovers and three ground balls, while sophomore attacker Kyrstin Mackrides registered five points (3g, 2a). Junior midfielder Jenny Michael was key on draws and equaled a career high with five draw controls, while senior defender Sarah Jonson recorded three draw controls and four ground balls.

Senior goalkeeper Emily Geary allowed just four goals in the second half and totaled a season-best 11 saves.

"Overall, I'm pleased with the outcome of today's game and with the effort our team put forth," Head Coach Christine Halfpenny said following the win. "We made some great adjustments and held our opponent to just four goals in the second half for the second consecutive week, which is a tribute the outstanding play of our defensive unit, goalkeeper and midfielders. We were poised down the stretch and really took control during the final 10 minutes.

"While our shooting was obviously key, our ability to win the draw was huge. Knowing that Richmond is very good at winning the draw, it's something we worked on hard this week, and Jenny, Grace and the rest of team did a great job executing today."

Things looked good for the Tribe (1-1) early, as it found the back of the cage three times in the opening 3:33. Golden, Holofcener and Mackrides all scored once during the stretch to help W&M jump out to the early 3-0 advantage.

Although a score by UR's Kara Moschetti at 25:11 put the Spiders on the board, W&M responded with goals by sophomore midfielder Caitlin Murphy and Holofcener to go ahead, 5-1, less than eight minutes into the contest.

While Richmond rattled off five unanswered goals during at 12-minute stretch to take its first lead of the game, 6-5, the College answered with a 5-0 run of its own. Mackrides provided two of the goals, while senior attacker Maggie Anderson, Golden and Holofcener also found the back of the cage.

Richmond countered with three consecutive goals in the final two minutes, but a free position score by Golden with just 0:14 showing on the clock gave the Tribe an 11-9 edge at halftime.

The Tribe pushed the margin to 13-9 with free position goals by Holofcener and Golden in the opening minutes of the second stanza before Richmond's Mary Flowers' finally put the Spiders on the board with 21:15 left.

Golden scored four of the team's final five goals during the remaining 20 minutes, as Richmond was unable to narrow the margin to less than three the rest of the way.

The Tribe will return to action when it hosts No. 18 Boston University next Saturday at 1 p.m.