WILLIAMSBURG — The William & Mary lacrosse team was edged by George Washington, 10-9, in its home opener at Martin Family Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Although W&M (1-1) trailed by four goals midway through the fourth quarter, it mounted an impressive comeback bid and narrowed the margin to just one on multiple occasions before GW (3-0) held on for the hard-fought non-conference victory.
With the score knotted at 5-5 entering the fourth quarter, GW opened the final frame with four unanswered goals to build its biggest lead of the game with 7:32 remaining. The Tribe charged back with a 3-0 run, as Kate Draddy found the back of the cage twice (6:39, 5:35) while Paige Gilbert scored once (3:12).
Grace Curry’s fifth goal of the afternoon with 1:57 remaining briefly extended the margin to 10-8 before Gilbert struck again with 1:13 showing.
However, the Revolutionaries secured the ensuing draw and maintained possession during the contest’s waning seconds.
Things looked good for the Tribe early as it led 3-0 after the first quarter, as Anna Dawson provided a pair of early goals and Finley Hoffman scored once.
After heading into halftime with a one-goal lead, 4-3, the Tribe struck first in the second half with a goal by Maresa Moyer before GW countered with a pivotal 6-0 run.
Draddy, Gilbert and Dawson led the Tribe offensively with two goals apiece, while Ainsley Huizenga (1g, 1a) and Sydney Witwer (2a) both added two points. Draddy also totaled a game-high five draw controls.
Defensively, goalie Marin Wilhelm posted 10 saves and a .500 save percentage with four ground balls, while Jaylin Locke tallied two caused turnovers and two ground balls. Claire Doto added two caused turnovers with three draw controls and a ground ball, while Sophie Busam registered two caused turnovers with a ground ball and a draw control.
W&M finished with a 24-23 edge in shots, while the Revolutionaries held a 20-16 advantage in attempts on goal.
GW also held a narrow edge in draw controls (12-11) and ground balls (16-14), while the Tribe committed one fewer turnover (10-11).
Curry led the Revolutionaries with five goals, while Katie Fullowan (3g) and Everly Kessler (2g, 1a) contributed three points apiece.
Stella Ray totaled a team-high five draw controls.
W&M will return to action when it hosts Georgetown at Martin Family Stadium next Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
