THE BASICS:
 
- Score: MIT 21, Johnson & Wales University 4
 
- Records: MIT (1-0); JWU (0-1)
 
- Location: Cambridge, Mass. (Jack Barry Field)
 
- The Lead: After a back-and-forth start to the game, the MIT women's lacrosse team rattled off 19 consecutive goals en route to a 21-4 victory over Johnson & Wales University in the season opener for both squads on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore Meredith Arterburn (Cooksville, Md.) powered the Engineers with three goals and three assists while Maris DiBenedetto and Taina Garmory both scored twice for the Wildcats.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
- Gamory found the back of the net just 59 seconds into the game and then DiBenedetto connected on a pass from Zoe Savage at the 11:01 mark. Arterburn scored on a feed from senior Ali Hoffman (Port Washington, N.Y.) just over 30 seconds later and then MIT tied the game when junior Lindsey Gambino (Garden City, N.Y.) redirected a pass from classmate Ellie Rabenold (Cincinnati, Ohio). A solo effort by DiBenedetto gave JWU a 3-2 edge with 6:23 on the clock, however, Arterburn got the ensuing draw control and then converted her free-position attempt. The Engineers quickly went in front, 4-3, courtesy of first-year Sydney Pyon's (Garnet Valley, Pa.) free-position goal. Junior Grace Ann Carlson (Daniel Island, S.C.) and Pyon traded goals, moving the score to 7-3 at the end of the first quarter.
 
- Arterburn won the opening draw of the second quarter and immediately found senior Naomi Lutz (Northbrook, Ill.). The Engineers went on to generate six unanswered goals, entering halftime with a 14-3 advantage.
 
- In the third quarter, junior Emma Tauckus (Manhasset, N.Y.) and Arterburn both scored on free-position attempts while Lutz scored during an extra-player opportunity.
 
- MIT generated four more goals in the fourth quarter as sophomore Nora Donnelly (Ridgewood, N.J.) completed the hat trick and capped the scoring for the hosts with 1:41 remaining. JWU's Gamory provided the final goal of the game with three ticks left.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 
- Pyon totaled four goals, one assist, and five draw controls while Donnelly posted three goals, one assist, and three draw controls. Rabenold registered five draw controls, three groundballs, and two caused turnovers. In net, senior Kiely Smiga-McManus (Etna, N.H.) made four saves.
 
- Margaret Johnson notched five draw controls and three groundballs for the visitors. In net, Emma Crowley recorded two saves during the first 20 minutes while Emma Glyman closed out the game with nine saves.
 
- MIT ended the day with advantages in shots (38-11), shots on goal (32-5), groundballs (16-10), and draw controls (19-9).
 
- The Engineers were 8-of-12 during their clearing attempts and 6-of-10 in free-position shots.
 
- The Wildcats were 10-of-19 during their clearing attempts and were not awarded any free-position attempts.
 
UP NEXT:
 
- Both teams are on the road for their next game. MIT will visit Endicott College on Tuesday, March 8 for a 4:00 p.m. game while JWU will play Keene State College a day earlier at the same time.
 
STAY CONNECTED:
 
- For the latest on MIT Athletics, follow the Engineers via social media on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.