Box Score

The Albright College women's lacrosse team shut down Eastern in the second half after a close opening period, kicking off the 2014 season with an 18-8 victory in St. Davids, Pa.

In her first collegiate game, freshman Giuliana Rizzotti scored four goals and had team-highs in points (six) and ground balls (four). Sophomore Amanda Smith also had six points on six goals, while adding eight draw controls.

Junior Meghan Wilson also won eight draw controls, as the Lions held an 18-10 advantage in that category. Katie Johnson had a hat trick to go with an assist, while Tori Meyer (one assist) and Mariah Cullen each scored twice.

The Lions led 6-0 at a point when Eastern had only had possession for a total of 33 seconds.

Eastern won the opening draw but Meyer forced a turnover 11 seconds into the game. Smith picked up the ground ball and went right to goal for the opening tally.

Rizzotti scored, and then assisted Katie Johnson to make it 3-0 before the Eagles saw the ball again. Eastern finally forced an Albright turnover but Sara Blaylock fired wide on the hosts' first shot of the game.

Albright cleared and Erin Farrell scored for a 4-0 lead. Smith won the ensuing draw and scored unassisted, and then grabbed the next draw control as well. Farrell eventually found Meyer for a 6-0 Lion advantage with 24:45 remaining on the clock.

The Eagles worked their way back into the game however. Down 7-2, Angalena Malavenda scored for Eastern. Blaylock won the draw control and converted a free position shot to make it 7-4, forcing Albright to call timeout. Eastern closed the half with three straight to trail just 9-8 at the break.

The Red and White did not allow another goal however, holding Eastern to just two shots on goal in the second half.

Cullen scored with 23:32 remaining to make it 10-8, and Meyer added a free position goal. Horgan pushed the gap to 12-8 with 16:33 left, and the Lions would score six times in the final eight minutes.

Albright (1-0) will travel to Ursinus on Friday at 4 p.m.