FRANKLIN, Massachusetts – The University of Maine at Farmington women's lacrosse team trailed by as many as five goals early in the fourth quarter before cutting the deficit to two with just under four and a half minutes left in the game. Despite a valiant effort, the Beavers were unable to complete the comeback, dropping their season opener 13-11 to Dean College.

How It Happened:

The opening quarter saw a combined ten goals as both teams quickly found their offensive rhythm. The Bulldogs struck first when Natalie Peterson found the back of the net just 41 seconds into the game.

After Emma Mock doubled the Bulldogs' lead three and a half minutes later, first-year defender Allison St. Cyr (Jefferson, Maine) scored her first collegiate goal off a feed from Lauren Girouard (Concord, Vermont). Senior midfielder Abby Trefsger (South Portland, Maine) followed St. Cyr's goal with one of her own, knotting the game at two just 19 seconds later.

Two minutes after Trefsger's goal, Haley Gaunt scored a pair of goals just 31 seconds apart, putting the Bulldogs back up by two.

Junior attacker Ruby McMinis (Wells, Maine) converted a free-position shot with 5:41 left in the opening period to bring Farmington back within one.

Dean broke the game open in the final five minutes of the first quarter, scoring three unanswered goals to take a 7-3 lead.

After a high-scoring first quarter, the defenses began to settle in, with the two teams combining for just three goals in the second quarter. McMinis scored both of Farmington's goals in the period—one just 13 seconds in, and the second in the final two minutes, again converting a free-position shot. McMinis' goals were sandwiched around a goal from Caroline Ramsey, with the Beavers trailing 8-5 at halftime.

For the second consecutive quarter, the Beavers scored in the opening minute of the third. McMinis found an open Trefsger to pull Farmington within two.

Free-position goals from Mock and Gaunt, along with an even-strength goal from Peterson, extended Dean's lead to 11-6 with 8:19 left in the third quarter.

At the 4:24 mark of the third, Trefsger scored her third goal of the game, pulling the Beavers back within four.

Dean maintained its four-goal advantage until Peterson scored her fifth goal of the game to make it 12-7.

Trefsger answered Peterson's goal with her fourth tally just over a minute later, beginning the comeback for Farmington. McMinis registered her fourth goal of the game 3:21 later, cutting the Bulldog lead to 12-9 with 9:30 left in the game.

After Nina Medeiros converted a free-position shot for her first goal of the game, Farmington answered with goals from Emilie Crocker (Edgecomb, Maine) and Sadie Harvey (Bethel, Maine) just 27 seconds apart, trimming the deficit to two with 4:27 left.

The Beavers had a pair of shots, including a free-position attempt from McMinis, in the final minutes, but Dean goalie Allie Stockwell turned both shots aside to preserve the victory.

Team Stats:

Dean held an advantage in shots (36-25), ground balls (28-26), and draw controls (16-13). The Beavers went 22-for-32 on clear attempts, while Dean was 22-for-30.

Farmington Leaders:

• McMinis led the way with four goals and a pair of assists, recording 12 shots, nine of which were on goal. McMinis also tallied five ground balls and five draw controls.
• Trefsger also finished with four goals while adding three ground balls and a pair of draw controls.
• Sophomore midfielder Emma Dunn (Farmington, Maine) finished with five ground balls.

Dean Leaders:

• Peterson led all scorers with five goals on ten shots, including nine on net. She also tallied a game-high six draw controls and picked up three ground balls.
• Gaunt finished with a hat-trick to go along with two assists.
• Mock finished with two goals, and assist, and a game-high seven ground balls. She also totaled five draw controls.

The Goalies:

• Skye Cotnoir (West Gardiner, Maine) made 12 saves in goal for the Beavers, while Stockwell finished with nine saves for the Bulldogs.

Up Next:

Farmington will be back on the road on Tuesday afternoon, heading to Henniker, New Hampshire, to take on New England College. Game time is set for 4:00 PM.