LIBERTY, Mo. In a game filled with heavy MoWest flavor, Griffon Lacrosse opened the 2026 season in style with a 17-4 win at William Jewell on Friday evening.

Nine different Griffons scored goals in the victory, including three goals each by freshman Madi Brinkman (4 points) and senior Caetryn Gilreath. Jessica Brook and Brooke Tjernlund compiled a team-high 6 points each, with Brook tallying 5 assists and Tjernlund scoring 2 goals to go along with her 4 assists. Maddie Chester also had 4 points with 2 goals and 2 assists. 

The Griffons overcame a shaky start, trailing 3-1 after the first quarter of play. Brinkman's second goal tied the game at 3 with 9:23 remaining in the 2nd quarter and MoWest dominated from that point on, scoring 9 unanswered goals to run away and never look back. 

MoWest outshot Jewell 31-8, with the Cardinals managing just 6 shots on goal.  The Griffons won the turnover battle 27-14 and edged the Cardinals on draw controls 14-9. Every available Griffon saw action in the game.

The matchup featured a pair of familiar faces on the William Jewell sideline with a pair of former Griffon Lacrosse greats making their coaching debuts. 2024 MWSU graduate Mackenzie Porter serves as the head coach for the Cardinals alongside assistant coach and 2025 MWSU grad Sam Pruitt. 

Both Griffons played for current head coach Jessica Berg, who enters her fifth season at the helm of MWSU, as the program begins its 6th year of existence.

"This was a good start for us," Berg said. "We had a couple of moments that we played tight, but overall, this was a solid team win. Nine different goal scorers shows our versatility. We won the 50/50 battle and those are two areas I am very proud of. We have some things to work on, but we it's a long season and we will continue to improve. Season openers can be unpredictable, but I am glad we came to play today."

The Griffons return to action next weekend with an extended trip to Grand Junction, Colorado where they will face Westminister on Friday, February 20th and Colorado Mesa on Sunday, February 22nd. MWSU will close the Colorado trip on Tuesday, February 24th with a game against Fort Lewis.