ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Missouri Western lacrosse (0-1) showcased late heroics, but it was not enough as they opened their season with a 15-12 loss to Colorado Mesa (1-1) on Sunday afternoon inside the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex.
 
CMU shot out of a cannon to open the match, scoring four goals in the first five minutes of action. By halftime, they had stretched their lead to as many as eight goals, benefiting from a 10-4 advantage in draw controls and firing off 22 shots. As a result, they went into the intermission with a 10-3 lead.
 
Western faced a nine-point deficit with just 15 minutes left in the game but staged a remarkable comeback in the fourth that consisted of six unanswered goals. Sam Pruitt sparked this rally with an unassisted goal in the 14th minute, while Brooke Tjernlund contributed significantly by scoring a pair of goals. However, the Griffons ultimately fell short, as the Mavericks held on to claim the three-point victory.
 
Pruitt led the Griffs with six points, which included three goals and three assists. The senior attacker took eight shots, four of which were on goal, and also secured five draw controls and three ground balls. Junior Caetryn Gilreath also had an impressive performance offensively, leading the team with four goals.
 
Sophomore Ava Garaway (0-1) made her first career start in goal for MWSU. The Thousand Oaks, California native faced 37 shots and recorded 16 saves, but was credited with the losing decision.
 
Justine Anderson, with two goals and three assists, and Caroline Ohngemach, who led the game with five goals, spearheaded the Mavericks victory with five points each. In goal, Shannon Murphy (1-1) collected her first win of the season with 10 saves.
 
Missouri Western will return home next Sunday to face Colorado-Colorado Springs. The opening draw is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Spratt Stadium. The game will be broadcast on the Griffon Sports Network (Varsity Network App, GoGriffons.com/listen).