CLINTON, S.C. (February 11, 2022) – Howard University women's lacrosse team dropped its season opener on the road at Presbyterian (PC), 16-6.
 
With the loss, HU dropped to 0-1 on the young season while the Blue Hose improved to 1-0 overall.
 
Howard saw live action for the first time in nearly two years due to COVID-19, led by first-year head coach Karen Healy-Silcott.
 
Junior Josie Mallory (Charlottesville, Va.) led the way with three goals and a pair of ground balls in the loss.
 
In the opening frame, newcomer Taylor Matthews (Tampa, Fla.) delivered HU's first goal of the season and cut the deficit in half, 2-1. PC extended the margin to four, 5-1, but another goal from Matthews trimmed the deficit to three after one, 5-2.
 
In the second quarter, the Blue Hose scored seven unanswered and increased the lead to 10 until a goal from Mallory cut the margin down to a nine-goal halftime deficit, 12-3.
 
HU opened the second half with back-to-back goals from Mallory and graduate Alayah Hightower (Mitchellville, Md.), but Presbyterian responded with a pair of goals of their own and ballooned the margin to nine after three, 14-5.
 
PC added two more goals in the fourth, but Mallory closed out the game with her third goal on the day.
 
Matthews registered two goals, two ground balls and forced two turnovers in her collegiate debut. Goalkeepers Jada Auletta (Montclair, N.J.) and Anya Waller (King of Prussia, Pa.) combined for 11 saves in a losing effort.
 
Sunday (Feb. 13), Howard concludes the weekend in Boiling Springs, N.C., against Gardner-Webb. Match time is slated for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.