Hickory, N.C.-- The Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Lacrosse team opened their season on Sunday afternoon inside Moretz Stadium. The Bears were up 6-2 at the break before Florida Tech went on a 6-0 run in the third quarter to swing the momentum. The Panthers held the Bears to just two second halves goals in a 13-8 victory.

Kirra Olson had a hat trick for LR with three goals while Cassell Richardson notched a goal and four assists. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 8, Florida Tech 13
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (0-1) , Florida Tech (1-2)
Location: Hickory, N.C. I Moretz Stadium

STATS OF THE GAME

• The Bears could not have drew up a better start as LR scored the first three goals of the game in the first six minutes.
• The teams traded goals to close the first half as LR took a 4-1 lead into the second period. Kirra Olson scored a pair of goals in the first fifteen minutes. 
• Lenoir-Rhyne only allowed a single goal in the second quarter and scored twice in a twenty second span in the final minute of the half to take a 6-2 lead into break. 
• After only scoring two goals in the first half, the Panthers dominated the third quarter and flipped the game on it's head, scoring six goals in the frame.
• Olson got the Bears going in the fourth goal with her third goal of the game but the Panthers responded with five straight goals before Abbey Walker got her first goal of the season with :51 seconds left. 
• Sally Friesen had 18 saves in the game.
• Florida Tech out-shot the Bears 41-20.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Florida Tech is now 4-0 all-time against the Bears.
• Friesen had her 7th double digit game with at least ten saves today. 
• Christensen notched four caused turnovers today and now 50 for her career, making her 10th all-time in LR history in that category.

NEXT UP: LR will face Embry-Riddle inside the bricks on Saturday at 2:00 PM. Embry-Riddle is 2-0 on the year and has a matchup with Florida Tech this week before traveling to Hickory.