GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Westminster women's lacrosse team opened the 2017 season on Saturday with an 18-8 loss to Colorado Mesa in a non-conference game at Walker Field.
 
Westminster (0-1) never led in the game as they fell behind 2-0 in the game's first three minutes. After they pulled the game within 5-3 with 13:29 to play in the first half, Colorado Mesa (1-0) scored the next five goals to lead 10-3 a little over seven minutes into the second half.
 
The teams traded goals back-and-forth for the following eight minutes before Mesa tallied the game's final four goals for the 18-8 margin.
 
The visiting Griffins attempted 24 shots on the day with 21 of those on cage. They had an 18-10 edge in draw controls, but committed 29 turnovers to just 19 from the Mavericks.
 
Katie Adams and Madison Ingman had a pair of goals each to lead the Griffins. Kira Heiden and Morgan Bakarich each recorded one goal and one assist on the afternoon. Kathleen Hendershott and Kristina Sewell notched the other two goals in defeat.
 
Allison Lambert and Heiden led the team with four draw controls and Lambert had two caused turnovers. Annelise Preite had four caused turnovers and four ground balls.
 
Three Griffins saw time in goal with Mikala Anderson making eight saves and the starter Taylor Hekking getting seven stops.
 
CMU took 39 shots in the game with a 30-19 edge in ground balls. They went 18 of 24 in clearing attempts and held the Griffins to only 10 of 21.
 
Lindsi Peters scored six goals for the Mavericks while Amanda Geary and Jessica Cook had three goals apiece.
 
Westminster remains on the road next weekend when they travel to St. Paul, Minn. to play a pair of games. They face Concordia, St. Paul on February 24 at 6 p.m. MDT from the Concordia Dome.