Box Score Release courtesy of Sports Information Intern, Vin Rinella

GRANTHAM, Pa. - The University of Scranton's women's lacrosse team opened their season with a thrilling 10-9 victory on the road Saturday against No. 15 Messiah University.
 
Junior Grace Lane (Long Beach, N.Y. / Sacred Heart Academy) led the charge for the Royals, posting a game-high 4 goals, while goalie Lauren Boldis (Merrick, N.Y. / Stanford H. Calhoun) held strong with 10 saves, including a clutch save in the final minutes en route to the victory.
 
The two teams matched each other in the first quarter, with both teams scoring twice, including two early goals from Devyn Tanajewski (Ringwood, N.J. / Lakeland Regional) and Lane just minutes into the game for Scranton.
 
After an early goal in the second period from Messiah, Erin Reich (Rockville Centre, N.Y. / Westfield) scored twice to give the Royals a 4-3 lead going into the half.
 
With a one goal lead to begin the second half, the Royals broke things open in the third quarter, outscoring Messiah 5 to 3 in the period. Lane and freshman Eileen Hewitt (Downingtown, Pa. / Downingtown East) both scored twice, and senior Kayleigh Stalter (Lynbrook, N.Y. / Lynbrook) scored her first goal of the season as the Royals ended the quarter with a 9-6 lead.
 
Lane opened the scoring in the fourth quarter with her 4^th goal of the game, extending the Royals lead to 10-6. However, the Falcons refused to go quietly, scoring three unanswered goals to cut the Royals' lead down to 10-9. Despite the late rally, goalie Lauren Boldis came up clutch with a fantastic save in the final minutes that secured the win for the Royals, who start their season 1-0.
 
Defensively, Tanajewski led the team with 3 caused turnovers, while freshman Jillian Lopez (Sayville, N.Y. / St. Anthony's) added 3 ground balls and caused two turnovers herself.
 
The women's lacrosse team returns to action Wednesday against Lebanon Valley College at 4:00 PM in Annville, Pa.