CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - DeSales scored seven goals in the first half and held off a second-half rally en route to a 9-5 victory over the McDaniel College women's lacrosse team in the season opener for teams on Friday.

The loss was the first in the last five season openers for the Green Terror (0-1) and their first on the road since Feb. 23, 2019 at St. Mary's (Md.). It also marked the first-ever meeting between the two teams.

Senior Kat Thayer, who was selected as a USA Lacrosse Division III Women's 2026 Preseason All-American, led the way with three points on two goals, five ground balls and three caused turnovers. Junior Emily Conklin had one goal, two ground balls, three caused turnovers, and two draw controls.

The Bulldogs (1-0), who went 15-3 last season and advanced to the semifinals of the MAC Freedom Championship last year, scored four first-quarter goals and got three saves from Larkin Trainor to take a 4-0 lead. Olivia Costa scored two of her four goals in the quarter while Hailey Linebaugh had two assists.

Christina DiGuglielmo scored the second of her two goals to open the second quarter before McDaniel got on the board with 6:35 remaining on an unassisted tally by Thayer. However, that was the only goal of the half for the visitors while DeSales added two more to take a 7-1 lead at halftime.

Both teams scored twice in the third quarter, but that would be all the Green Terror could get despite holding a 9-4 advantage in shots as Trainor totaled four of her 10 saves in the period.

Costa's fourth goal of the game came with 3:51 left in the third and was the last one allowed by the McDaniel defense as it held DeSales scoreless for the final 19 minutes.

However, the Bulldogs held the Green Terror to just two fourth-quarter goals with both coming in the final 1:41 to hold on for their eighth win in the last 10 home games.

Seniors Jordon Gambrill and Charlotte Alexander also found the back of the net for McDaniel with Gambrill adding an assist and Alexander totaling four draw controls. Freshman Olivia Foulke had two ground balls and one caused turnover while senior Caleigh Kohr finished with three saves in her 49th career appearance in goal.

The Green Terror continue their two-game road trip to open the season next Wednesday, February 18 when they make the short trip to Goucher to face the Gophers. Opening draw is set for 7 p.m.