ARLINGTON, Va. – The Marymount (Va.) University women's soccer team caught an early lead on Friday evening, scoring two goals in the first six minutes against Eastern Mennonite University in the opening round of the Marymount Invitational. A late three-goal surge, however, pushed the Royals past the Saints for the 3-2 decision. 

The scoring started up right out of the gates for the blue and white, knocking in goal number one of the season in the first 52 seconds of the game. Freshman Karen Reyes, with the ball on the left side of the 18-yard box, sent in a low pass in front of the goal where it met the foot of a slashing senior Chloe McAuliffe who sent a shot into the left side for the quick 1-0 advantage. 

Just over four minutes later, the Saints added a second to push a 2-0 lead, this time off a free kick roughly 35-yards out. A foul on the Royals on the right side of the field put freshman Courtney Stephens on the ball for the free kick. Sending a high attempt in, the ball pushed over top of the outstretched hands of Royal goalkeeper Leah Wenger into the top left corner of the goal. 

By the 12th minute, EMU was finally able to produce some offense, knocking in its first goal to get back within one of the Saints. Marymount locked in for the remainder of the half, taking the 2-1 lead into the break. 

The Royals saw an opportunity early in the restart, converting a corner kick into a goal after several deflections in the 18-yard box eventually met the foot of Sylvia Mast and into the back of the net to draw the match even at 2-2. 

Senior goalkeeper April Westmark managed to reel in two more saves following the equalizer to total four for her time on the field before junior transfer Sydney Schultz came in during the 55th minute. 

The Saints continued to push the offensive momentum, seeing two shots come from Reyes and another by McAuliffe. But the only goal that was scored in the final 40 minutes of the game was by the Royals, kicking in the winning shot in the 69th minute. 

In the closing minutes, Marymount saw several attempts just push wide of the target including a ripped, high shot by freshman Gabby Cabrales, but the Royals were able to hold off the charge to take the 3-2 decision. 

The Saints will look to regroup on Saturday, as they close out the Marymount Invitational with a matchup against Emory & Henry College at 4:30 p.m., at Long Bridge Park. The Wasps fell to Chatham University in the second game on Friday, 4-0.