FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Madison Ronelli recorded four goals with one assist and the women's lacrosse team held off Brevard for a 10-8 victory in each team's season opener on Saturday afternoon at Monarch Stadium.
 
Ronelli scored all four of her goals in the opening 30 minutes as MU (1-1) built a 7-3 lead by halftime. Brevard (0-1) actually struck first on Kat Harrienger's goal off a feed from Nina Siu just over four minutes into the contest. Ronelli scored on a free position shot and Emily Brennen added a goal as MU went up 2-1 by the 19:31 mark.
 
Livia Harrienger knotted the game at 2-2 at the 16:56 mark, but three straight tallies, including one each from Ronelli and Brennen, made it 5-2 in favor of Methodist. Victoria Hayes scored for Brevard to make it 5-3, but Ronelli added a pair of goals in final five minutes of the first half for the four-goal edge at intermission.
 
The Monarchs scored three of the first four goals in the second half to stretch their lead to 10-4, but Brevard kept things close by scoring four straight times to pull within 10-8 by the 3:20 mark.
 
The Green and Gold managed to dominate possession to close out the game and hang on the for the win.
 
Emily Ewin started in the cage and made two saves with three goals allowed in 30:00 to pick up the win. Jannelle Gant played the final 30:00 in goal and made one save with five goals allowed. Shelby Arsenault played all 60:00 for the Tornados and made 15 saves with 10 goals allowed.
 
As a team, Methodist out shot Brevard 33-21 and picked up 23 ground balls to 12 for Brevard. Draw controls were 11-9 in favor of MU. The Monarchs also converted 10 of 12 clears to just 13 of 24 for Brevard.
 
In addition to her five points, Ronelli added three ground balls and three draw controls. Brennen, Renee Burt and Bianca Terenzi each finished with two points, and Monti Hendrix finished with a goal, three ground balls and three caused turnovers.
 
Nina Siu led Brevard with three goals and an assist and added five draw controls. Penina Fungalei chipped in a pair of caused turnovers and two ground balls.
 
Methodist plays on Friday at Bridgewater beginning at 5:00 pm.