NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Boston University women's lacrosse team opened its season with a 17-6 win on the road at Merrimack. BU had eight individual goal scorers and were led by sophomore Elle Stevenson who scored five of her own.
 
The Terriers and the Warriors went back-and-forth for most of the first half before the Terriers took control. BU scored eight unanswered goals en route to its victory and did not give up a single goal in the final quarter.
 
In addition to Stevenson, juniors Hannah Tillier, Raegan Bailey, Abby Cotraro, seniors Avery Jones and Tobey Tick and freshman Tessa Geddes found the back of the net. Stevenson logged two assists, sophomore Alyssa Mozi picked up an assist on Jones' first goal and Sims (2) and Tillier (1) also added assists.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• BU lit the lamp with a free position goal from Stevenson.
• Merrimack tied things up but Cotraro scored on the free position to take back the lead.
• After the Warriors created a 2-2, BU switched from senior Reilly Agres to freshman Natalie Aiosa in net due to an injury for Agres.
• BU struck first in the second quarter with a goal from Tillier assisted by Stevenson.
• Merrimack came back to take a brief lead, but Stevenson recovered her dropped stick at the crease to score a needed goal to tie the game 4-4.
• The Warriors went back in the lead on a free position goal but did not hold on to the lead for long.
• Jones, Tillier and Stevenson scored BU's next three goals to build a steady 7-5 lead late in the second.
• Thanks to a free position goal at the close of the half from Jones, BU went into halftime up 8-5.
• Stevenson's momentum pushed through into the third quarter as she quickly notched BU's nezt point.
• Tick put the Terriers into double digit territory with a goal of her own.
• Free position goals continued to come for the Terriers as Sims scored her first of the game shortly after Tick.
• Tillier extended BU's lead late in the third before Merrimack could answer as the game headed into the final stanza with the Terriers up 12-6.
• Sims and Stevenson added the next two goals for BU.
• Newcomer Raegan Bailey backed that up with a free position goal and a regulation goal assisted by Sims with 2:27 to go in the game.
• In the final minute, Geddes found the back of the net to close out the scoring as BU secured its 17-6 win over Merrimack.

 
GAME NOTES

• BU has scored 17 goals every time it has played Merrimack.
• Stevenson's five goals is a career best in the category.
• Both of Tillier's goals were assisted by Stevenson.
• Both teams accrued eight penalties.
• BU scored twice when down a player and four times when up a player.

 
UP NEXT

• BU will host its first home game of 2024 on Wednesday. 
• Opening draw against UNH is set for 4:30 p.m.