MOUNT VERNON, Iowa -- The Augustana Vikings women's lacrosse team was defeated in their 2022 season opener on Saturday, falling on the road to the Cornell Rams by a score of 14-9.

Cassidy Petrie tallied three first quarter goals for the Vikings to offset each of the first three Cornell scores in the opening frame, but the Rams grabbed one more to hold onto a 4-3 advantage after 15 minutes of play. The home team also secured the first three goals of the second quarter to extend their margin to four, but Augie grabbed two of the last three in the half to inch closer. Cornell led Augustana 8-5 at the break. Sinclaire Lucero and Kate Hettiger had each of the goals for the Vikings in the second.

For the second straight period, the Rams pushed three consecutive goals in to begin the third quarter to double their advantage at 11-5. Back-to-back scores from Hettiger and Kyla Painter brought the Vikings within four before Cornell snagged one more score with 32 seconds remaining in the third. The rams led 12-7 entering the fourth.

The two teams played an evenly-matched fourth quarter on the scoreboard, each sending two into the net to result in the 14-9 win for the Rams. Ella Randolph and Hettiger accounted for each of the scores in the final period for the Vikings.

Freshman goalkeeper Sawyer Graham secured 18 saves for Augie in the contest as Cornell posted a total of 38 shots in the contest, 32 of which were on goal. The 18 stops for Graham are tied for third most all-time in program history. Augustana finished with 24 shots, 16 on target.

With the loss, the Vikings start the year 0-1. The team will be back in action on on Wednesday, March 9 for their home opener against Edgewood. Start time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. from Thorson-Lucken Field.