MCC women drop Anne Arundel in season opener

ROCHESTER - After having its season opener delayed a day due to cold temperatures and frigid wind, the MCC women's lacrosse team was amped up in anticipation of the first whistle Saturday afternoon.

The top-ranked Tribunes showed they were ready for the season to start, scoring the game's first eight goals en route to a 23-9 victory over fourth-ranked Anne Arundel Community College on a sun-drenched but brisk John L. DiMarco Field.

Janee DeLuca scored twice in the first minute and Fran Messura added the last two in the 8-0 run that spanned the first 12 minutes and 27 seconds of the contest. Monroe put up 17 goals in all over the first half and had a 10-goal lead at the break. The Tribunes then outscored the Riverhawks 6-2 over the final 30 minutes to secure their 84th consecutive victory, and the first for new head coach Ronnie Davis.

Kenzie Donahue finished with four goals and two assists and DeLuca added four goals and one assist to pace the Tribune attack. Messura totaled three goals and three assists, while Adriana Williams and Sarah Shaffer tallied three goals apiece.

Monroe held a 26-13 edge in ground balls, with Ashley Salvett scooping a team-high five. The Tribunes also forced 22 Anne Arundel turnovers while committing just 10 themselves.

Maliah Benedetto's play-making abilities were on display, as the freshman finished with two goals and four assists for MCC. Kyrsten Stone chipped in with two goals and three assists, and Se'Anna Beikirch had two goals and two assists.