SPARKS, Md. – Freshman attack Paige Merz (Ogdensburg, N.Y.) scored four goals and sophomore midfielder Janea Kelty (West Milford, N.J.) tallied three goals and a school-record-tying three assists as the Felician University women's lacrosse team defeated the University of the District of Columbia, 13-9, on Sunday morning at Tierney Field. Felician was opening the seventh season in program history.

The result was the first career victory for Felician first-year head coach Will Mahon, as well as the initial collegiate triumph for sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Bain (Hamilton, Ontario). Bain recorded 15 saves and added four ground balls.

Merz and fellow freshman Melissa Amezquita (Paterson, N.J.) made their college debuts for the Golden Falcons. Amezquita finished with two goals.

The first half featured three lead changes. Merz found the cage with four minutes, 10 seconds, left in the second quarter to send the Golden Falcons into halftime with a 7-6 lead. Still ahead, 8-7, Felician took control by scoring the final four goals of period three, including an Amezquita buzzer-beater, to move in front by five. The Golden Falcon defense took over during the final quarter, as the game saw no scoring for the last 7:29.

Felician senior Emileigh Esposito (Beachwood, N.J.) recorded two goals and an assist. Junior Amanda Ramirez (Manchester, N.J.), who notched the Golden Falcons' only fourth-quarter score, led the defense with six ground balls and six caused turnovers. Sophomore Tala Marzooq (Ewing, N.J.) scored a goal and picked up seven of Felican's 10 draw controls.

Freshman attack Anna Schamens (Milwaukee, Wis.) paced UDC (0-2) with three goals, an assist, and eight draw controls.

Kelty matched Valerie Adamo and teammate Raquel Vilas (East Brunswick, N.J./East Brunswick) with three-assist games in Golden Falcon history.

Felician begins its home schedule with an 11 a.m. whistle against D'Youville College next Saturday at Tryon Field in Rutherford, N.J.