THE BASICS:
 
RESULT: Hartford 20, Delaware State 4
RECORDS: Hartford (1-0); Delaware State (0-1)
LOCATION: Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium (West Hartford, Conn.)
PHOTO GALLERY
 
THE LEAD:
 
Freshman Debbie Phillips scored the first goal in program history 31 seconds out of the first-ever opening draw, and the University of Hartford women's lacrosse team never looked back,  as the Hawks cruised to a 20-4 victory against visiting Delaware State in the team's inaugural game. Junior Billy McLaughlin led all scorers with seven goals, tacking on two assists for nine points, while Phillips scored four more times to finish with seven points.

A total of seven Hartford players found the back of the net in the Hawks' #FIRSTFLIGHT, with rookie Lauren Wehner also recording a hat trick behind three goals. Classmate Megan Miller dished out a game-best five assists, compiling six points in her collegiate debut.

Olivia Summerville and Lauren Perry netted two goals apiece to account for the Hornets' scoring in the losing effort.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 

• Phillips scored 31 seconds out of the Hawks' first-ever draw, and Hartford never looked back from there.
• McLaughlin kept the offense rolling, scoring goals at the 27:52 and 24:29 marks. The Hornets managed to cut the deficit to one on back-to-back goals from Perry and Summerville, but Hartford put the game out of reach with a dominant performance to end the half.
• Phillips and Wehner each scored three times in the remainder of the half, while McLaughlin added two more goals to her count as the Hawks ended the stanza with 10 straight goals to take a commanding, 13-2 lead into the halftime break. Megan Miller also added her first career goal to that mix.
• The Hawks kept the pedal to the metal in the second half. Emily Steele scored twice within the first four minutes of the second to extend Hartford's run to 12-0 and push the lead to 13 at 15-2.
• Perry's second goal of the game ended Delaware State's 20-plus-minute scoring drought, but the Hawks closed out the game on a strong note, netting five of the final six goals to take the 20-4 victory.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE & NOTES:
 

• The Hawks were dominant across the boards, holding advantages in shots (45-13), draw controls (17-8) and ground balls (32-24).
• Freshman Cassidy Hock was spectacular in goal, making six saves while allowing just four goals. Elizabeth Henry turned away a game-high 11 shots for the Hornets.
• Freshmen Birdie Montes and Kaitlyn D'Andrea also netted her first career goals in the win.
• Hartford forced Delaware State into 27 turnovers, with four Hawks creating two turnovers apiece.
• The Hawks converted on 3-of-8 free-position shots, while the Hornets went 1-of-8 on the afternoon.
• McLaughlin came away with a game-best five ground balls while McLaughiln and D'Andrea each won five draw controls to pace the Hawks.
• Summerville led all players with six ground balls for Delaware State.

 
NEXT ON TAP:
The turnaround is a fast one for the Hawks, as they return to Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium on Monday to play host to St. Francis (PA). Opening draw is set for 12 p.m.