ITHACA, N.Y. -- The #13/17 women's lacrosse team scored nine-unanswered goals in the first half to surge forward to a 13-7 victory in its season opener against Villanova at Schoellkopf Field on Saturday afternoon. Caroline Allen netted a career-high three goals to lead the efforts while Tomasina Leska, Taylor Reed, Grace Paletta and Sarah Phillips contributed two goals each. Ida Farinholt and Ellie Walsh both added in goals as well.

It was senior captain Farinholt who ultimately kick-started the scoring efforts for the squad, going unassisted two minutes 22 seconds into the game. Within a span of 15 minutes, junior captain Phillips, Paletta, Allen, Leska and Walsh each netted scores of their own to make it 6-0 in favor of the Big Red. Phillips' and Paletta's goals each came on a free position shot. Allen, Paletta and Leska would all find the back of the net again within the first 30 minutes of action to push it to a 9-0 advantage. Allen's second goal was a free position strike while Paletta's also came from the free position and was man-up.

However, the Wildcats would refuse to go into the half without laying claim to a goal. With 54 seconds remaining, Ashley Lynch would beat the keeper to put Villanova up on the scoreboard. With a lopsided halftime result of 9-1, the opposition would go not quietly, outscoring Cornell 6-4 in the second half to have a bit of a resurgence.

The Big Red's Allen would complete her hat trick from the free position early nearly six minutes into the second half and that was followed up with a free position goal by senior captain Reed to make it 11-1, but the Wildcats would score three-straight goals to close the gap a bit, 11-4. In the final 6:28 of action, five goals went on to be scored, two by Cornell and three by Villanova. The captain duo of Phillips and Reed each scored to give the team its 13 total goals.

Sophomore Katie McGahan made her first-career start in between the pipes for Cornell, making 18 saves and picking up one ground ball. Sixteen total ground balls were picked up by Cornell, with Joey Coffy leading the way with three. Hannah O'Reilly and Cait Callahan each paced the Big Red in caused turnovers with two each. Overall, the squad was efficient from the free position, going 6-8 on its opportunities.

It was the seventh consecutive home-opening victory for the program and the third-straight over Villanova.

Cornell will hit the road next weekend to take on Penn State. The game is set to begin on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 3 p.m.