DOVER, Del. - Despite a close game early in the first half on Saturday, Delaware State women's lacrosse lost their season opener, and home opener, 15-4 to the La Salle Explorers.

The Hornets are 0-1 for the season. Their first NEC game will be on Saturday, March 15 against Le Moyne.

BY THE NUMBERS

• London Downing, Madden Alexander, Hannah McMasters, and Zahra Gotz scored their first goals of the season.
• Alexander led the team with two caused turnovers on defense. The team had 10 total.
• Kimaari Mondy played all 60 minutes in goal and made six saves.

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST LA SALLE

• A quick La Salle goal was countered by two Delaware State goals within two minutes of each other. Downing had the first on a free-position shot. Gotz scored the second, forcing an Explorers' timeout. Even with a couple of shot attempts by the Hornets, La Salle capitalized with three straight goals to end the first quarter. It was a 4-2 lead.
• The second quarter was a sweep for the Explorers, as they outscored Delaware State 6-0. Mondy, Ceanna McGirt, and Nailah Green each had a caused turnover to halt the Explorers' offense. The half closed with a successful Hornets' clear, but La Salle led 10-2.
• The Hornets cut into their deficit in the third quarter with an Alexander free-position goal following a La Salle foul. Saniya Craft would cause a turnover moments after, but the Explorers cashed in on one more goal. Through three, La Salle had a 12-3 advantage.
• After the visitors put two more goals on the board, Delaware State had a strong offensive possession. Nyla Price earned the draw control. The Hornets rebounded off a missed shot with a Hannah McMasters score. McGirt had the assist. Although the Hornets were aggressive with their shots at the end, the deficit was too great. La Salle won 15-4.

UP NEXT
The Hornets are back at Drass Field on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 3 p.m. They will face the UMBC Retrievers.