Albany, NY - The shorthanded Vermont State University Lyndon women's lacrosse team was unable to keep up with Russell Sage College Sunday afternoon, dropping their season opener, 17-3.  Sage improved to 1-3 on the season.

The Gators jumped out to a 10-0 lead after one quarter and cruised from there.  Aimee Rodriguez scored five goals and added two assists, all coming in the first quarter, to lead Sage.  Madisyn Bullock added three first-quarter goals.  Elizabeth Zollman scored twice and Maia Hunter had a goal, a pair of assists, and three ground balls.  Angelina Schaefer also had a goal and two assists, and added four ground balls and six caused turnovers.  Alexis Crossman recorded a pair of assists, six ground balls, three caused turnovers, and five draw controls.

Lyndon, with only nine players in uniform, was led by Kiara Mack (Milton, VT), who finished with two goals, two ground balls, two caused turnovers, and two draw controls.  Katie Cushing (St. Johnsbury, VT) scored the other Hornet goal, and Summer Guilmette (Lunenburg, VT) was credited with an assist on Mack's first goal and picked up two ground balls.

Summer Atchley picked up the win in goal for Sage, making one save.  Elivia Woodward (.Hudson Falls, NY) made 17 saves in the Lyndon goal in absorbing the loss.

The Gators outshot the Hornets, 50-5, and forced 29 Lyndon turnovers while committing 11 themselves.  Sage had a 30-13 advantage in ground balls and a 16-6 advantage in draw controls.

The Hornets will open North Atlantic Conference play next Saturday when they travel to Husson University for a 3:00 pm start.