HAMILTON, Ont. (September 22, 2011) - The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks women's lacrosse team travelled to Hamilton on a rainy Wednesday evening for the first game of the 2011 season.

Hawks Captain Ashley Rutz opened the scoring just 44 seconds in on a pass from Sarah Stanley. Shelby O'Ryan would put the Hawks up by two three minutes later. However, they would not score again until the 22 minute mark.

In the interim McMaster offence staged a comeback with three goals of their own. This would prove to be the Maruaders only lead in the game.

Laurier attacked with renewed determination to score four goals before the buzzer sounded to end the half. The defensive line of Bree MacDonald, Chelsea Clarke, Emma Pink and rookie Maddy Curtis backed by goalie Hanna Burnett was able to hold the Marauders scoreless in the last 10 minutes of the half. Score: Hawks 6 Marauders 3.

Krissy Leeder opened the scoring in the second half on another pass from Sarah Stanley. The Marauders remained unable to penetrate the Hawk defence until 10 minutes had elapsed even though Laurier was assessed a yellow card which gave McMaster a man-up advantage for two minutes early in the half. Rookie Jen (Teddy) Graham scored the next two goals in her Hawks debut.

The Marauders would score once more late in the half but second year Hawks midfielder Tash Robertson sealed the victory with the last goal of the tilt. Final Score: Hawks 10 Marauders 5.

The defending OUA Champion Hawks boast 11 rookies as well as 16 returnees. They next travel to Toronto on October 1^st and 2^nd to face Queen's and Guelph on Saturday and Toronto and UOIT on Sunday. Laurier is at home on October 8^th and 9^th.

Game Stats vs. McMaster

Goals: Shelby O'Ryan (2), Jen Graham (2), Sarah Stanley (2), Ashley Rutz, Jen Taylor, Krissy Leeder, Tash Robertson

Assists: Sarah Stanley (2), Jory Garibaldi, Ashley Bordignon, Shelby O'Ryan