THE BASICS:
 
- Score: MIT 18, Johnson & Wales University 4
 
- Records: MIT (1-0); Johnson & Wales (0-1)
 
- Location: Providence, R.I. (Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletic Complex)
 
- The Lead: The MIT women's lacrosse team generated seven unanswered goals in the first quarter before going on to defeat Johnson & Wales University, 18-4, in its season opener on Saturday. Senior Lindsey Gambino (Garden City, N.Y.) powered the Engineers with four goals and three assists.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
- MIT opened the scoring when Gambino redirected a feed from senior Ellie Rabenold (Cincinnati, Ohio) after 4:44 elapsed. Sophomore Sydney Pyon (Garnet Valley, Pa.) increased the Engineers' lead with a free-position goal and then first year Gwen Flusche (Ridgewood, N.J.) earned assists on goals by Rabenold and sophomore Julianne Flusche (Ridgewood, N.J.). Junior Meredith Arterburn (Cookesville, Md.) and Gambino added solo strikes while Pyon set up senior Grace Ann Carlson (Charleston, S.C.) for MIT's seventh goal with 2:28 left in the quarter.
 
- Johnson & Wales ended the shutout just 1:13 into the second quarter. However, the Engineers outscored the Wildcats, 6-1, during the frame to establish a 13-2 advantage at halftime.
 
- The Wildcats once again scored an early goal when action resumed, but MIT used four straight goals to increase its margin to 17-3. Gambino notched one goal and two assists while Julianne Flusche registered two goals and an assist. Arterburn rounded out the scoring with an unassisted marker midway through the third quarter.
 
- Pyon buried a free-position shot just over two minutes into the fourth quarter. Johnson & Wales provided the final goal at the 10:23 mark before the game was called with 6:52 remaining in regulation due to slippery field conditions.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 
- Julianne Flusche finished with four goals and one assist while Pyon tallied two goals, two assists, four draw controls, and three caused turnovers. Arterburn netted a hat trick as Rabenold recorded five groundballs, two caused turnovers, two goals, and one assist. Gwen Flusche posted three draw controls, one goal, and two assists while first year Nina Petulla (Natick, Mass.) had two caused turnovers.
 
- Senior goalie Abigail Kolyer (Manhasset, N.Y.) registered three saves, three groundballs, and a caused turnover in the first half while first year Molly Dulde (Delafield, Wis.) closed out the game with two saves.
 
UP NEXT:
 
- MIT will host Simmons University on Wednesday, March 1 at 5:00 p.m.
 
STAY CONNECTED:
 
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