GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—The women's lacrosse team put in a strong performance in its conference opener at No. 25 Colorado Mesa. Lauren Shoughro led the Griffins with four goals and goalies Hannah Bargeron and Mikala Davis made six saves each in the loss to the Mavericks.
Westminster scored 11 goals from 25 shots, 17 on goal, to finish with a .440 shooting percentage. Mesa took 42 shots, 30 on goal, and scored 18.
 
The Griffins led twice in the first half. Goals from Audree Erekson and Phebe Walker put the Griffins in front, 2-1, after the home said scored the game's opening goal. Westminster led for a little more than six minutes before Mesa scored two quick goals to regain the lead.
 
Mesa's lead lasted 14 seconds as Hannah Kelleher scored to tie the game, 3-3, and Lauren Shoughro scored to take the lead again, 4-3. Mesa scored seven more to finish the half in the lead, 10-6.
 
The Griffins matched the Mavericks for goals to stay within four points. Mesa went on a 4-1 run in the final eight minutes for a seven-point win.
 
Bargeron and Davis faced 21 shots. Bargeron started between the pipes and made six saves in the first half. Davis started the second half and made six saves.
 
Erekson and Shoughro won a team-high five draw controls. Shoughro went 4-7 to lead the Griffins with four goals. Kelleher led the team with four caused turnovers in addition to two goals.
 
Eden Frieberg and Melissa Reeves both dished out a team-high two assists. Jamie Francis led the team with three ground balls.
 
The Griffins will host Fort Lewis in their conference home-opener on Thursday, Apr. 1, at 4 pm.