PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Freshman Emma Novick and junior Kirsten Wilhelmsen each posted hat tricks, but the Lafayette women's lacrosse team couldn't dig out of a first-half hole on Wednesday evening at Rutgers, falling by a 19-7 score.

Novick opened the scoring just 24 seconds into the game, working a bouncing shot over the right side of Rutgers goalie Devon Kearns to give the Leopards the opening advantage. However, an answer from Amanda Turturro less than 20 seconds later sparked a 7-0 run from the Scarlet Knights that opened up the game at 7-1 with 20:12 to play in the half.

Maggie Carver ended the run with an unassisted tally at 18:26, but two more from Rutgers made it 9-2 at 14:05. Novick's second and third goals bookended six from Rutgers, moving the game into the intermission at 15-4.

After a Rutgers tally opened the second-half scoring at 27:20, three straight from Wilhelmsen moved the lead back under 10 at 16-7. However, the Scarlet Knights didn't allow a late Lafayette rally, finishing off the game with three of their own, pushing the final to 19-7.

Shots were 33-11 in favor of the home side, while ground balls were even at 11 apiece. Rutgers won 18 of the 28 draw controls in the contest and forced Lafayette into 14 turnovers compared to 10 of their own. The Leopards were 11-for-14 on their clearing opportunities and scored on three of their five free-position chances.

Freshman Hannah Davey picked up three draw controls and three ground balls, while Novick led the way in shots with seven. Rookie Allie Abacherli opened the game in net, playing the first half, making five saves and allowing 15 goals. Sophomore Anna Raymond subbed in for the second stanza between the pipes, allowing four goals and stopping three Rutgers shots on target.

The Leopards open up Patriot League play on Saturday in the first-ever Patriot League contest at Army West Point. Opening draw is set for 3:30 p.m.