ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The Roberts Wesleyan women's lacrosse team upset No. 18 Pace University on Monday afternoon in the 2020 season opener. The Redhawks defeated the nationally-ranked Setters, 16-14. 

Roberts set the pace in the first half as the first to get on the board with a goal from Kelsey Simmons. Minutes later the Setters tied it up only for Roberts to answer within 30 seconds moving the game to 2-1. From there, the Redhawks played two steps ahead and rode the wave of momentum adding another seven goals on Pace ending the half at 9-5.

In the second half, Pace began to fire back registering 7 goals by the 12 minute mark in comparison to Roberts' three tying up the game 12-12. But the Redhawks found their second wind scoring three unanswered goals on the Setters. As the clock wound down, Roberts found the back of the net one more time giving the Redhawks their 16th goal to seal the victory.

Jamie Walker was the leading scorer for Roberts who had six goals splitting three in each half. Emily Tomei painted the stats sheet with three goals, eight draw controls, three ground balls, a caused turnover, and an assist to round out her game.

Goalkeeper Natalie Arieno was a key player in the Roberts win as Pace outshot Roberts by only one in the first half, 13-12 but with multiple game-changing saves she kept the Setters to only five in comparison to Roberts nine. In total, Arieno faced 36 shots and saved 17 both career highs for the sophomore.

Roberts lacrosse will be in Florida for their next two games against Lynn University on February 20th and Saint Leo University on February 22nd.