RADNOR, Pa. – The Albright women's lacrosse team dropped their season opener 17-7 at Cabrini on Wednesday despite a strong first quarter.
 
With the loss, the Lions open the 2022 season 0-1 while the Cavaliers open their season 1-0.
 
Senior Lauren China and sophomore Katelyn Patrick led Albright's offense with three points behind two goals and one assist each. Senior Lexi Pitkevits grabbed a team-high three ground balls for the Lions.
 
Cabrini took an early lead after scoring on their first possession of the game. Patrick got Albright on the board behind a feed from China at the 10:11-mark. Junior Abigail Hai followed at the 6:12-mark with her first-career goal assisted by sophomore Kayte Moist to put the Lions in front 2-1. Junior Chloe Fornoff capped off the three-goal run for Albright off a feed from Patrick at the 4:53-mark. The Cavaliers closed out the opening frame with two unanswered goals to tie the game up at three.
 
The Cavaliers kept their foot on the gas and controlled much of the second quarter, netting four unanswered goals. The Lions struggled to create scoring opportunities as China connected the lone shot on goal of the second stanza. Cabrini held onto a 7-3 lead entering the half.
 
Cabrini wasted no time coming out of the break, scoring just 30 second into the second half and followed with another goal less than a minute later, extending their lead to six. The Cavaliers capped off their 10-0 run at the 12:24-mark to increase their lead to 10-3. China finally responded with an unassisted goal at the 11:34-mark and snap the Cavaliers run. Cabrini followed with another less than 20 seconds later to bring the score to 11-4. Patrick again found the back of the net to keep the Lions in reach, but the Cavaliers closed out the third with four unanswered goals, three coming from woman-up opportunities, to hold a 15-5 advantage.
 
The two teams traded two goals apiece in the fourth quarter, as the Lions saw scoring from China and senior Abbie Moist. Unfortunately for Albright they were unable to chip away at their deficit as Cabrini claimed the 17-7 non-conference victory.
 
Cabrini held a 26-16 shot advantage over Albright and forced the Lions to 21 turnovers on the afternoon. The battle for ground balls was even at 12-12. First-year goalkeeper Caelainn Morrison receives the loss for the Lions with three saves in the full amount of action. Sam Hamalak earns the win for the Cavaliers with two saves in 50:55 minutes of action.
 
Albright will return to action on Saturday at 3 p.m. as they travel to Ursinus for non-conference action.