Old Westbury, N.Y. — Following a tough start to the season and still searching for their first win, the SUNY Old Westbury women's lacrosse team opened its home schedule Thursday afternoon with a Skyline Conference matchup against Mount Saint Mary College at Panther Park. Entering the contest at 0-3, the Panthers were defeated by the visiting Knights, 16-1, in their conference home opener.

Mount Saint Mary got on the board early and controlled the pace from the opening quarter. At the 8:04 mark of the first, Kasey Senior scored the game's first goal off an assist from Antonia Licardi. Just over two minutes later, Alejandra De Leon added another goal to make it 2-0. The Knights continued to press offensively and closed the opening quarter on a 5-0 run.

Old Westbury found its offensive breakthrough in the second quarter when sophomore Katia Maisonneuve worked through defenders and scored the Panthers' first and only goal of the afternoon. Mount Saint Mary, however, continued to build its lead and added seven goals in the second quarter to take control of the contest.

The third quarter was a much stronger stretch for Old Westbury defensively. The Panthers tightened up in their defensive zone and limited the Knights to just two goals in the period. Senior goalkeeper Jara Gonzalez came up with several key stops in net and finished the afternoon with four saves.

Mount Saint Mary added two more goals in the final quarter to close out the 16-1 win.

Despite the loss, Old Westbury showed a pair of positives as a team. The Panthers settled in defensively after halftime and held the Knights to just four second-half goals after allowing 12 in the first half. Old Westbury also finished with 14 caused turnovers and six draw controls, showing improved defensive pressure and effort throughout the contest.

Maisonneuve led the Panthers offensively with one goal on four shots, including three shots on goal. Ciana Kunen added three shots and two shots on goal while also recording one ground ball, one caused turnover, and two draw controls. Defensively, Stefany Donnelly totaled two ground balls and a team-high four caused turnovers, while Kristen Gallagher added two ground balls and two caused turnovers. Jara Gonzalez finished with one ground ball, two caused turnovers, and four saves in goal. Stephanie Velez, Ashley Maniscalco, and Maisonneuve each recorded one caused turnover, while Gonzalez also added one ground ball.

What's Next?

Old Westbury will return to action on Saturday, March 28, when the Panthers host St. Joseph's University Long Island in a Skyline Conference matchup at Panther Park. Opening draw is scheduled for 12:00 p.m