ST. AUGUSTINE, FL – The #5 Grand Valley women's lacrosse team opened their season in Florida taking on Flagler. In a closely contested game the Lakers were able to answer any run by the Saints to open the season 1-0 with a 14-12 win.
 
Maddy Champagne opened the scoring less than a minute into the game with an unassisted goal. Flagler answered right back, before Maggie Hammer put the Lakers back on top off a pass from Molly Bursinger. The Saints scored once more to close out the quarter with the scored tied at two.
 
Flagler opened the second quarter with another goal, but GVSU responded with six consecutive goals, as Kate DeYoung and Sydney Stone each scored unassisted goals, followed by Champagne scoring three straight, two assisted by DeYoung and the third was unassisted. The quarter ended with DeYoung scoring again to put GVSU up 8-3 at the break.
 
DeYoung struck once again to open the second half, as she got a hat trick, this goal coming off an assist from Champagne. The Saints answered back with a 3-0 scoring run to make it 9-6. DeYoung scored another unassisted goal, which was quickly answered by a Flagler goal, but Stone finished off the quarter with her second goal of the game, as the Lakers led 11-7 heading into the final 15 minutes.
 
Following a goal from the Saints, DeYoung responded for GVSU to make the advantage four once again. The Saints answered back with two straight goals, making it 12-10 with just under nine minutes to play. Champagne found DeYoung for another goal to end the Saints run and make it a three goal advantage for GVSU. The Saints scored once more, but Champagne provided the dagger with just over a minute to play. Flagler got one late, but it wasn't enough, as the Lakers picked up the win in their season opener.
 
Kate DeYoung scored six goals and dished out two assists to lead the Lakers, while Maddy Champagne added five goals and two assists. Sydney Stone scored twice, and Maggie Hammer started her season out with a goal. Ashleigh Rothe secured seven draw controls, Molly Bursinger grabbed five, and Champagne had three. Champagne, Karleigh Rothe, Aislynn Alkire, Bursinger, and Anna Reynolds all picked up multiple groundballs. In net Kaylyn Cater saved five shots to pick up the win.

Up Next
The Lakers stay in Florida to finish out the weekend on Saturday against #10 Rollins at 10am.