WHITTIER, Calif. – The Westminster women's lacrosse team opened the 2016 season with a 16-13 loss at Whittier College on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
 
Neither team created much separation through the first 42 minutes of action as the lead stayed within two goals for each team. After Westminster (0-1) got consecutive goals from Kira Heiden and Katie Adams, the game was even at 11-11 with 17:35 to play. Whittier (1-0) then scored five straight goals to put the game out of reach.
 
"I thought the team played well today," Westminster head coach Niki Harding said after the game. "They kept fighting until the end."
 
Heiden and Adams combined to score 10 of the Griffins goals. The team's other three goals came from freshman Madison Ingman. Kathleen Hendershott finished her collegiate debut with a team high three assists, Ingman added two assists and Morgan Bakarich and hanah carter each had one.
 
The Griffins finished the game with a 31-30 edge in shot attempts and they forced Whittier into 20 turnovers. The Poets won the ground ball battle, 30-22, and took 16 of the 31 draw controls. Westminster was just 1 of 6 on free-position attempts.
 
Making her first career start in goal, freshman Taylor Hekking made 10 saves in defeat.
 
Angelina Cuevas scored four goals to lead Whittier. Rebekah Delledera and Lexie Meanor added three goals apiece.
 
Westminster will return to action on March 6 when they travel to Kansas City, Mo. for their first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game at Rockhurst.