Arlington, Va. – Despite a four-goal performance from freshman Abby Wescott, the Marymount women's lacrosse team dropped its home opener against Randolph Macon as the Yellow Jackets captured a 12-8 victory Wednesday afternoon at Long Bridge Park.

In the early going of Wednesday's action, the two teams appeared very evenly matched, trading goals quickly in the opening minutes.  Randolph Macon struck first and fast – finding the back of the net with barely a minute gone.  The Saints regrouped quickly and responded, swiping the next draw and setting up Catina Boster for her first goal of the season.

With the score knotted at 1-1, the squads again settled in to exchange blows.  The Yellow Jackets sent their second strike past Marymount netminder Tylar Abrams with just about two minutes gone.  Not even 30 seconds later, after the Saints won the ensuing draw, Wescott gained a free-position shot and pumped a bullet on her first collegiate shot to even the game at two.   

Back on even ground, Marymount looked ready to break out as the squad unleased two back-to-back shots.  Unfortunately, each attempt was absorbed by RMC goalie Allie Walker.  Following the defensive stand, the Yellow Jackets pieced together a huge push to pull ahead.  Back-to-back free-position attempts gave the visitors the 4-2 advantage with 19:40 on the clock.  

Another free-position shot from RMC's Jenelle Whitman – who collected four tallies on the day – stretched the lead to 5-2 in the visitors' favor with 11:47 remaining.

Marymount rebounded quickly, using a quick goal off the draw – courtesy of Natalie Tinkham – to close the gap to two.  Wescott followed just moments later with her second missile of the afternoon, and suddenly the Saints had inched within one, 5-4.

The ensuing draw saw the Yellow Jackets respond immediately with their sixth goal.  RMC would make it 7-4 at the 7:30 mark when Whitman blasted another beam past Abrams. 

Staring at a three-goal deficit, the Saints continued to poke at the RMC defense.  Steph Keane notched her first goal of the season with just 39 seconds on the first half clock – cutting the gap to 7-5 heading into the break.

The second half saw the squads tussle for the first five minutes or so, until Taylor Johnson slammed home a free-position attempt and brought the Saints within one, 7-6.

Back in control following the next draw, Johnson showed off her vision with a perfect pass through a cluttered zone to Wescott.  The freshman unleashed a laser, knotting the score at 7-7 and securing her first collegiate hat trick at the 23:31 mark.

The squads tangoed for almost ten minutes before Marymount broke the stalemate, as Johnson once again set up Wescott for a picturesque strike with 14:23 on the clock.

Leading for the first time all day, Marymount locked down to hold the narrow margin.  Unfortunately, an RMC free-position attempt evened the score at eight with 11:50 left to play.

The final ten minutes were firmly controlled by the Yellow Jackets as the visitors erupted for four unanswered goals. 

During the game, the Saints held a 30-24 edge in ground balls, including five from Wescott and four from both Meghan Higgins and Cat Powell.  Marymount also caused eight turnovers to help stifle the RMC attack, but Walker finished with six saves to earn the win for the Yellow Jackets.  Abrams posted nine stops for the Saints.

Marymount returns to action on Saturday for a non-conference showdown with Lynchburg at Long Bridge Park.  Game time is slated for 1:00 p.m.