NEWARK, Del.- Sophomore Sara Rogers led Lafayette women's lacrosse with four goals in a 16-12 defeat at Delaware on Wednesday afternoon in the Leopards' 2023 season opener.

Delaware jumped out to a quick lead, scoring four goals by the 7:13 in the first quarter. Rogers, Meghan McLachlan and Abby Romano retaliated for Lafayette, which trailed 4-3 at the end of the first quarter.

Two pairs of Blue Hen goals were interrupted by Rogers at 11:30 and Katie Chiasson at 4:53 prior to halftime. Delaware held a 10-5 advantage at the break.

Lafayette's Genevieve Strobel kicked off the third period with the Leopards' sixth goal of the day at 14:06. Back-and-forth play saw four Delaware points as well as Sarah Bennett and Clare Culligan's first goals of the season (4:57, 3:39). McLachlan put back her second of the afternoon with 35 seconds remaining in the third quarter, with Lafayette still trailing, 14-9.

Rogers scored twice in the final quarter, both at 7:33 and at 3:33. The sophomore attacker completed the Maroon and White's first hat trick of the 2023 season with her goal at 7:33. Strobel added the last Leopard goal just 10 seconds later (2:53) for the 16-12 final.

Delaware held the advantage in draw controls (21-11), ground balls (24-19) and shots (47-26). Lafayette led with 22 clears (22-25 to 21-23). The Blue Hens converted 11 free-position shots, while the Leopards totaled five.

Lafayette's junior goalkeeper Lexie Coldiron made 14 saves on 30 shots faced. Her Delaware counterpart, Mercy McCarthy, made seven saves on 19 shots faced.

The Leopards will face Columbia on Saturday at noon for the home opener in Fisher Stadium.