Sailfish Earn Opening Night Win Over Knights
by Brad Seitz, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic women’s lacrosse team started its 2023 campaign today by hosting the University of Bridgeport at the Rinker Athletic Campus. The Sailfish pulled away late to take down the Knights 13-9 and move to 1-0 on the early season.
Key returner Mattie Davis got the scoring going for the Sailfish as she put PBA up inside of the opening minute. From there on, a newcomer for the ‘Fish took over the game as freshman Olivia Larges scored an opening quarter hat trick in her first game as a Sailfish. Madison Bakatsias found Larges for her third with 1:10 left in the first as PBA led 4-3 after 15 minutes of play.
The Knights entered the game 1-0 on the season and were able to hang around most of the night despite the fact that it appeared PBA dominated possession by winning 17-of-26 draw controls on the night. PBA outshot their opponents 22-5 in the first half but was only able to lead 6-5 at the halftime break.
Sailfish goalie Courtney Rausch, who set a program record for saves in a season last year as a freshman, returned but was not as effective in her first game of the season as she recorded just one save before being replaced by freshman Georgia Karns in the third quarter with the game tied 8-8.
The change might have been the spark that the Sailfish needed as they would go on to outscore the Knights 5-1 to close out the game over the final 19 minutes of play. Karns recorded just one save also during her time in the game but PBA controlled the ball late and iced the game away. Larges finished the night with a game-high four goals while Davis scored three. Ella Howlin and Addyson Johnson each chipped in with two goals apiece while Howlin and Bakatsias each scooped up a team-high four ground balls. Defensively Jess Carmichael and Meghan Lyons each caused two turnovers as the ‘Fish prevailed with a four-goal win on opening night.
PBA has a quick turnaround as they will host Dominican on Thursday night at the RAC. It will be the first meeting between the two sides as the Chargers are 1-1 so far on their season.
