GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Thiel College women's lacrosse team opened its 2017 season Wednesday with a 13-2 non-conference loss to the Allegheny Gators at the Rissell-Schreyer Dome.
 
Jennifer Rickens (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley) scored Thiel's first goal on a pass from Katelyn Labos (Carnegie, Pa./Chartiers Valley) with roughly nine minutes remaining in the second half. Erica Auberzinski (Odenton, Md./Arundel) went on to score her first collegiate goal with 12 seconds remaining.
 
Shelby Piper led the Gators with five points (2G, 3A) while Maddie Olson tallied four points (2G, 2A). Taylor Vigneri also scored three goals.
 
Kyra Farrell (Pittsburgh, Pa./Oakland Catholic) and Maya Ballard (Boardman, Ohio/Ursuline) combined to make 13 saves for Thiel. Kaelin Clogan made two saves for Allegheny.
 
The Tomcats will return to action Saturday when they host the University of Rochester Yellowjackets at the Rissell-Schreyer Dome. The non-conference game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.