WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William & Mary lacrosse team posted a resilient performance in its season opener against Villanova, but the Tribe fell to the Wildcats, 16-12, at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
Although W&M (0-1) trailed by just one goal midway through the first half, Villanova (1-0) tallied four answered scores to build an 8-3 lead with 11:56 remaining.
 
However, the Tribe closed the opening stanza with a 4-1 run of its own to narrow the margin to 9-7 at halftime.
 
 
While Villanova limited W&M to just two goals during the first 21 minutes of the second half en route to earning its biggest lead of the game, 15-9, the Tribe charged back with three consecutive goals by Belle Martire to narrow the deficit to just three with 4:39 remaining.
 
The Wildcats held W&M scoreless during the remainder of the contest, however, as it earned the season-opening road victory.
 
Tribe Standouts
Preseason All-CAA selection Belle Martire led the Tribe with a team-high five goals on seven shots and added three draw controls, two caused turnovers and two ground balls. Four of her five goals came in the second half.
 
A pair of freshmen – Sarah Cipolla (2g, 1a) and Caroline Donovan (2g) – also recorded multiple goals, while senior goalie Elsa Rall totaled 16 saves with a .500 save percentage and four ground balls.
 
Also coming up big defensively were senior Beth Kuyk (2 CT, 5 GB) and Starr Howard (2 CT, 3 GB, 2 DC).
 
 
Inside the Numbers
Although W&M (.522) was more efficient with its shooting than Villanova (.400), the Wildcats owned a 40-23 advantage in shot attempts.
 
VU held a narrow advantage in ground balls (23-22) but collected six more draw controls (18-12) and committed seven fewer turnovers (14-21).
 
The Opposition
Katie Comerford (4g, 3a) led Villanova with seven points, while Brittany Bruno (3g, 2a) posted five points.
 
Maggie Jennings tallied a game-high six draw controls with three caused turnovers and six ground balls.
 
Notes
Rall's outstanding effort moved her into sixth place on the program's career saves list (332) … W&M started a pair of freshmen in the opener – Cipolla and Sydney Sloan – while sophomore Sophia King also earned a start in her collegiate debut … The contest marked just the second all-time meeting between W&M and Villanova, as the Tribe won the initial matchup, 14-4, in 1992 … The Tribe is now 38-25 all-time versus teams currently in the Big East … W&M is now 30-11 in home openers dating back to 1980.
 
Up Next
The Tribe will return to action when it plays at George Mason next Saturday at 2 p.m.