The Butler women's lacrosse team was unable to overcome a first period lead by Robert Morris in the Bulldog's season and home opener on Sunday, falling 10-16 at Varsity Field. The Colonials move to 5-1 while Butler will start BIG EAST play at 0-1 on the year.
 
How It Happened:
Robert Morris jumped out to an early three-goal lead in the opening ten minutes of play at Varsity Field, two from Clio Kerr and one from Julie Koterwas. Butler called a timeout to regroup, but the Colonials stayed hot, adding two goals from Kerr and leading-scorer Mackenzie Gandy.

At 17:22, Butler took advantage of man-up situation and Campbell Connors got the Bulldogs on the board, 1-5. Just three minutes later, Karino Latsko would nail another man-up goal following by an even strength goal from Gabryelle Bodine, putting the Dawgs at striking distance, 3-5.

In the remaining ten minutes of the half, Robert Morris would tab five goals to the Bulldog's two, and Butler would start the second period down 5-10.

Clio drilled a goal in the opening minute of the second half and Butler would rally with goals from KK Callaghan and Connors to bring the Bulldogs within four at 7-11. Strong defense and three straight scores from the Colonials in the middle ten minutes of the period would put the game out of reach for Butler.

The Dawgs grabbed three goals to close out the last third of the period, but came up short, 10-16.

Bulldog Bits:

• Seven different Bulldogs had goals and five had assists in the opening game of the year.
• Connors, Callaghan, and Latkso each had two goals in the loss.
• Connors and Latsko led the team in shots (5) while Connors posted a three-point game, adding an assist to her two scores.
• Transfer Kayla Kielbasa scored her first goal in a Butler uniform, doing so in a man-down situation for the Bulldogs.
• Anna Cate Gately caused issues for the Colonials offense, breaking up several plays and tallying two caused turnovers.
• Gately, Elizabeth Davide and Kaley Attaway each picked up two groundballs for Butler.
• Amanda Rumsey and Katie McGrath split time between the posts for Butler, each grabbing five saves.
• RMU just edged Butler to lead in shots (29-27), ground balls (14-11) and saves (11-10).
• Both teams committed 11 turnovers and had four man-up opportunities.

 
Up Next:
A cancellation for Sunday's rescheduled game against Presbyterian will have the Bulldogs looking ahead to conference play. Butler will open BIG EAST competition with a two-game weekend at Denver on Friday, March 19 and Sunday, March 21.