ST. DAVIDS, Pa.-Eastern University Women's Lacrosse scored 12 times, forced 15 turnovers, and got 11 saves, but the visiting Wilkes University Colonels had a decided edge in possession with a 23-8 edge in draw controls and earned an 18-12 win in the Freedom Conference opener for both teams.

The Eagles used turnovers and solid shooting to jump to a 5-2 lead in the first 15 minutes of the game, but the Colonels scored nine of the final ten goals in the first half to pull away to an 11-6 edge at the break. Carley Smith scored five of her six goals in the first half to pace Wilkes. 

Eastern controlled the final two draws of the first half, but still trailed 15-3 in that category at the break. Sara Blaylock had two first-half goals for the Eagles, and Victoria Graham, Emmy Fisher, Julia Furniss, and Lindsay Corbitt also scored.

The Eagles closed the gap on draw controls in the second half, and with that, they were able to keep up in the scoring column as well, but the five-goal halftime deficit proved to be too much to overcome. Graham scored four second-half goals and Blaylock added two.

Madeline Brownsey scored three times in the second half, and Tori Kerr added two for the Colonels (6-1, 1-0). The Eagles (0-9, 0-1) travel to Manhattanville College on Wednesday. 

Box Score