DURHAM, N.C. – The Villanova women's lacrosse team opened the 2019 season on Saturday, Feb. 9 with a matchup against the Duke Blue Devils. The Wildcats were downed 15–1 but the Devils.

Duke came out with momentum that the Wildcats were unable to contain. The Blue Devils scored eight unanswered goals to begin the first half.

Wildcat attacker Katie Comerford was the first to find the back of the net for Villanova to put them on the board. Duke's Catherine Cordey answered back with two goals and soon after Comerford scored her second and final goal of the season opener. Within the next two minutes Grainger Rosati and Brittany Bruno found their way past Cadoux in the net off assists from Ashley Lynch.

 The Blue Devils scored four straight goals to close out the first half and hold a 10-point lead. To begin the second half, the Wildcats were resilient to keep chipping away at the 14-4 lead of their opponent.

Liz Trojan was the first on the board at the start of the second half, but a minute later Duke's North answered back keeping the 10-point distance between the two.

Both teams went back and forth exchanging goals to start the second half. Bruno netted one in making the score 6-15 and then Abby Landry returned the favor. Minutes later Bruno scored her third goal of the game but was combated by Maddie Jenner's goal for the Blue Devils making the score 17-7.

After approximately seven minutes of scoreless play, Devin Hassinger scored her first goal of the season from an assist by freshman Caroline Phelps. Duke scored the next two goals to give them a 19-8 advantage over Villanova.    
     
Hassinger was the last on the board for both teams at the end of the contest, making the final score 19-9.

Bruno led Villanova with three goals while Comerford had two goals and two assists. Three other Wildcats were also on the board.

Villanova returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. when they welcome Cornell for their home opener.