ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The frigid temperatures were no match for the Roberts Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team on Friday.
Playing the second-earliest home opener in the program's 13-year history, the Redhawks scored the first three goals of the game on free position shots and rolled to a 13-7 win over Georgian Court University in a non-conference contest played in 25 degrees on snowy Redhawk Field.
"We definitely used the snow to our advantage," captain Alexis Grant, who scored two goals and added an assist, joked after the game.
Sophomore Annie Mulhall scored four goals and added two assists in her first game as a Redhawk and sophomore Emma Blumenstock added three goals, including two on free position shots.
Junior Sophia Podszebka and graduate student Tori Lammes both scored two goals and freshman Ella Dossier contributed three assists in her first college game.
Roberts, who went 19 of 21 on clears and held a 22-13 advantage in ground balls, led 4-1 after the first quarter, 8-3 at the half and 10-4 after three quarters.
"It was good to get a win under our belts," Roberts coach Kristin Paolini said.
Several players are stepping into new roles for the Redhawks, who graduated the top two scorers in the East Coast Conference in Madison Bell and Lindsey Brinkel.
Paolini and her staff are still experimenting with combinations on offense and she was pleased with the way the Redhawks began to click as the game went on.
"We are moving girls around at all different positions on offense," Paolini said. "They are excited to be playing together and the creativity level is just exceptional this year."
Mulhall, a transfer from East Carolina, scored her first collegiate goal with 3:03 to play to give Roberts a 7-2 lead. Her fourth goal gave Roberts a 12-4 advantage with 11:32 left in the fourth quarter and she fed Grant for Roberts' final goal with 5:42 remaining.
"I think that when we spread out, things went well for us," Mulhall said.
The Redhawks were also strong on the defensive end, forcing 26 turnovers in front of goalie Shawna Lesmerises, who made four saves, caused three turnovers and led Roberts with six ground balls in her first appearance on her home field.
"The defense was spot-on today," Lesmerises said. "There were a lot of knock-downs and we kept the sticks up high."
The Redhawks begin a three-game week at 4 p.m. Monday the University of Mount Olive.