ST. LOUIS – After a long offseason wait, Spartan women's lacrosse got back to business and finished off Thomas More University 16-1 on Saturday in its season opener at Spartan Field.
 
The home side adjusted well from the collegiate-wide switch of halves to quarters. MBU (1-0, 0-0 KCAC) brought in the change to fifteen-minute periods by putting eight goals past the Thomas More (0-2, 0-0 Mid-South) defense. By halftime, the score was 10-0 and the game was well out of reach. The Spartans added three goals apiece in the third and fourth.

Junior Kamryn Bell bookended the first quarter scoring with goals two minutes in and with 30 seconds remaining. Midfielder Ashley Avery also notched two of her game-leading four goals in the period, with one being assisted by Bell.

The Spartan attack peppered the Saints goal all game and put up 38 shots. Leading MBU in attempts was junior Chayleb Deves, who managed 10, and was followed closely by sophomore Caroline Karr with nine. Karr was one of two Spartans scoring thrice along with newcomer Lydia Cornett, whose goal in the final seconds secured her the hat trick.

The Mobap defense was stout and only allowed a small handful of scoring chances. Thomas More had just nine total shots, stopping three of those was freshman goalie Kevynn Knoettner in her lone quarter of action in the second. MBU starter Amelia Shaw had two saves. Midfielder Jordan Haeusser led the team with a pair assists and eight ground ball pickups. Haeusser also notched two goals to round out a fine all-around performance.

Missouri Baptist will again be at the friendly confines of Spartan Field for its next matchup with last season's opening opponent Quincy University. The Spartans will be looking to avenge that 16-10 loss suffered to the Hawks on Thursday, Feb. 24th at 4:00 PM.