LAURINBURG, N.C.   From start to finish, the Monarchs overwhelmed host St. Andrews University, 18-4, in Methodist women lacrosse's season opener Tuesday afternoon. Alaijah Ward scored a go-ahead goal, at 1-1, for a lead that would then never be threatened, but freshman Keegan Foyles earned the No. 1 star in the post-game.

In her first collegiate game, Foyles finished with eight goals, which would have tied for the most goals in a single game by a Monarch last season -- and are the most goals scored by a Methodist player in a season opener. She scored the contest's first goal and added three more scores before the end of the first period as the Monarchs led 10-1 at halftime.

In nearly every statistic, Methodist exerted dominance. The Monarchs had a 26-9 advantage in shots on goal, a 22-11 edge in ground balls, and 20 draw control wins to the Knights' four.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. St. Andrews, 18-4
Records: Methodist 1-0, St. Andrews 0-1
Location: Laurinburg, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Foyles forced a running clock at the 20-minute mark of the second half after she scored following her recovery of a ground ball. St. Andrews cut the deficit to 12-3 with 14 minutes left but Foyles returned with another goal to start the clock.
• This time, the running clock would remain after consecutive goals from Sarena Pillow, Lindsay Dastejerdi, and Julee Delellis put the Monarchs ahead 16-3.
• A caused turnover by Jaime Logan resulted in Foyles' first goal of the game 14 seconds later.
• After the Knights tied the game at 1-1, the Monarchs responded with nine straight goals over the remaining 25 minutes in the half.
• Two consecutive free position goals from Ward put Methodist up 3-1 at the 20-minute mark. Another one of Ward's free position attempts led to the fourth goal. Her shot was saved but Dastejerdi recovered the ground ball and earned her first collegiate assist on Rosa Williams' first collegiate goal.
• Keeping possession led to three straight goals from Methodist. After Foyles scored at 5:14, goals by Pillow and Ally Nagel were preceded by the Monarchs winning the draw control and recovering all the available ground balls.

STAT FACTS

• Foyles, Nagel, Pillow, and Ward all finished with multiple goals. Pillow added an assist and Dastejerdi and Williams finished with one goal and one assist.
• Williams led the team with seven draw control wins and two caused turnovers. Her six ground balls were second to only Nagel's seven recoveries. Nagel had five draw control wins, second on the team.
• Ward finished with five ground ball pickups and two draw control wins.
• Goalkeeper Jem Golombeski recorded seven saves -- two on free-position attempts -- and the win in her first collegiate game.
• The 18 goals in a season opener by Methodist are the most in program history.

UP NEXT
The Monarchs' home opener at Monarch Stadium will be Sunday, February 16 against Randolph-Macon College at 2 p.m.