WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University women's lacrosse team used a big second half to pick up a season-opening victory downing the Saint Joseph's University Hawks (0-1) 12-9 Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia. Saint Joe's tied the game at six in the second half, but GU managed a 5-0 run to solidify the victory, and move to 1-0 on the young season.
 
"We played with great effort and intensity today," said Georgetown Head Coach Ricky Fried.  "SJU was aggressive, athletic and well coached showing different looks. I am proud of how we competed and grew through the game and I am excited to watch this team continue to grow throughout the season."
 
Senior Taylor Gebhardt (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) led the way with three goals and four assists, while senior midfielder Francesca Whitehurst (Baltimore, Md./Roland Park Country School) added three goals and one assist and senior attacker Morgan Ryan (Maplewood, N.J. / Oak Knoll School) added a hat trick as well. Junior midfielder Natalia Lynch (Smithtown, N.Y. / Smithtown West) and freshman midfielder Jordyn Sabourin (Catonsville, Md. / Notre Dame Prep) both pulled in four draw controls apiece and junior defender Noelle Peragine (Northport, N.Y. / Northport) had six caused turnovers in the contest.
 
The Hoyas outshot the Hawks, 33-20, and pulled in 12 draw controls to SJU's 10. The Blue & Gray forced 18 Saint Joe's turnovers, but committed 20 in the contest. GU was 4 of 11 on free position shots and junior Haelle Chomo (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier) picked up the win with eight saves in the cage.
 
The Hawks opened the scoring in the first five minutes, however, Georgetown answered back with goals from freshmen Ali Diamond (Lafayette Hill, Pa. / Plymouth-Whitemarsh) and Katie Crager (Berwyn, Pa. / Episcopal Academy) in their first game on the Hilltop.  SJU matched to move ahead by two, but the Hoyas came right back with a free position shot by Whitehurst and an unassisted tally from Gebhardt. 
 
Following a score from Saint Joe's, Ryan nailed back-to-back goals less than a minute apart to put the Hoyas ahead 6-5 at the half.
 
Saint Joe's began the scoring again tallying a goal less than two minutes into the second stanza.  At the 27:45 mark, Gebhardt connected with Whitehurst for the goal which would spark a 5-0 GU run.  Gebhardt and Whitehurst each had two goals in the run, and Gebhardt added two assists.
 
SJU ended the momentum with a score with 4:45 remaining, but Ryan answered right back for her third of the contest.  Saint Joe's would add two scores in the final two minutes of the contest, but the comeback would not be enough as the Blue & Gray held on for the 12-9 victory.
 
The Hoyas will host the No. 11 Towson University Tigers on Saturday, February 16 in GU's first home game of the season at Cooper Field.  The opening draw is scheduled for 3 p.m., and live stats as well as a webcast featuring Monika Moore will be available through www.GUHoyas.com.