WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Feb. 16, 2019)—The William & Mary lacrosse team opened the 2019 season with an impressive 10-6 victory against George Mason at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field on a cold and rainy Saturday afternoon.  

Although Mason (0-2) led, 6-5, midway through the second half, W&M (1-0) closed the game with five unanswered goals – three of which were scored by sophomore Sophie Kopec – to secure the win.
 
The Tribe held Mason scoreless for more than 16 minutes to begin the contest en route to building an early 3-0 lead. However, the Patriots responded by closing the opening half with a 5-1 run to take a one-goal lead into the locker room.
 
W&M limited Mason to just one goal during the final 30 minutes and held the Patriots scoreless during the final 18:39.
 
 
Tribe Standouts
Kopec led the Tribe offensively and found the back of the cage with all four of her shots. Freshman Belle Martire added a pair of goals in her collegiate debut, while senior Maddie Torgerson provided two points (1g, 1a) and a pair of draw controls
 
Senior Anne McElgunn (6 CT, 6 GB) and junior Beth Kuyk (4 CT, 5 GB) highlighted the Tribe's effort defensively, while junior Meredith Hughes (4 GB, 3 CT, 1 AST), senior Hannah Ryan (3 GB, 2 CT, 2 DC) and freshman Starr Howard (4 DC, 2 GB, 2 CT) also came up big in the victory.
 
Inside the Numbers
W&M outshot the Patriots, 20-14, and posted a .500 shooting percentage.
 
Although Mason held a 10-8 edge in ground balls, the Tribe owned a 31-27 advantage in ground balls and forced the Patriots into 30 turnovers, 23 of which were CT.
 
The Opposition
Deanna Balsama led the Patriots with five points (2g, 3a), while Erin Donoghue finished with a team-high four draw controls to go with three ground balls.
 
Notes
Three W&M freshmen earned starts in their collegiate debuts – Howard, Martire and Grace Ahonen – while a fourth, Lauren Russell, also played … W&M's defense held Mason scoreless for two extended stretches – 16:03 in the first half and 18:39 in the second … The Tribe's 23 CT represented the program's best effort dating back to April 14, 2017 versus Delaware … W&M improves to 35-14-1 in season openers, while it has won 12 of its last 16 home openers … The Tribe owns a 30-10 all-time record in home openers … W&M improves to 18-8 all-time against Mason and has won seven of the last nine meetings.
 
Up Next
The Tribe will return to action when it plays at Old Dominion on Wednesday at 7 p.m.