The excitement leading up to the start of a new season carried itself through a Friday night of firsts, close games and stellar highlights. It’s a mostly full slate Saturday, but let this serve as an appetizer for what’s to come.

PITT WINS GAME 1

Welcome to lacrosse, Pitt.

The Panthers needed overtime to down Duquesne, but Division I’s newest program got the job done. Carlie Leach, a transfer from Oregon who last played in 2020, scored the game-winner to make history for the fledgling program.

FIRST GAME

FIRST OT WINNER

It was one historic night for @Pitt_WLAX, which took down @DuqLax in its first game as a Division I program. pic.twitter.com/11wbtytrS4

— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALacrosseMag) February 12, 2022

Despite relative inexperience, Pitt held its own throughout, never trailing by more than two (4-2 with 11:08 left in the third quarter). The Panthers led by Kierin Ratliff-Kailbourne’s four goals, took a 7-6 lead with 8:57 to play, but Duquesne stormed back with goals from Mackenzie Leszczynski and Delaney Rodriguez-Shaw.

Then Paige Petty — an All-American at Virginia Tech who figures to provide instant punch to Pitt in its first season — did what she was brought in to do. Petty tied the score at 8 with her first of the game, leaving it up to the Pitt defense to maintain the tie before overtime.

HOUSE TYRRELL LEADS CUSE

In the returns of Emily Hawryschuk and Megan Carney, it was Meaghan Tyrrell who shined.

Tyrrell scored six goals as No. 3 Syracuse outlasted a scrappy No. 14 Stanford 12-9. The Cardinal played their first game of 2022 without Tewaaraton Award Watch List member Ali Baiocco and top freshman Maddigan Miller. It’s the first win for Kayla Treanor as a head coach.

Stanford provided an early test against a Syracuse defense that returns just Sarah Cooper. The Cardinal led 5-3 after Ashley Humphrey assisted Annabel Frist early in the second quarter, but Tyrrell scored the next three goals of the game. The sides entered halftime tied at 6.

Tyrrell and her younger sister, Emma (two goals), would account for Syracuse’s next four goals — meaning seven straight Orange tallies were converted by Tyrrells — the last of which put the Orange ahead 10-7. Emily Hawryschuk then scored her first goal in 356 days for an 11-7 lead.

DAYS

Emily Hawryschuk rehabbed and got herself ready for 2022. Now, she has her first goal of the year for @CuseWLAX.

What a comeback. pic.twitter.com/HzV4ag0HSn

— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALacrosseMag) February 12, 2022

VIRGINIA THUMPS ELON

Virginia became the first team this season to put up a 20-spot in its 20-11 win over Elon, one of last spring’s early season surprises.

Gillian Curran had five goals and one assist for Elon, but UVA got six goals from Rachel Clark, three from Ashlyn McGovern and two each from Morgan Schwab, Annie Dyson and Mackenzie Hoeg. Overall, 10 Cavaliers scored and 11 notched at least one point.

An 8-1 run from UVA between the first and second quarters came in response to an early 3-2 Elon lead to put the Phoenix away.

NOTABLE

• Louisville used a 4-1 run in the fourth quarter to force overtime, but Sadie Grozier made sure Colorado still walked away with a season-opening 14-13 win. Grozier’s sixth tally of the game came from the free position arc.

• No. 7 Notre Dame trounced Central Michigan, starting off on a 23-0 run. Madison Ahern scored six goals, and Maddie Howe scored four. Howe also notched the 200th point of her career. Twelve Irish scored in the big win.

• Michigan saw 15 of its players score in a 23-2 drubbing of Detroit Mercy. Eight players scored twice, all tying for the team lead. The Wolverines held a 37-10 advantage on shots.

HOW THE NIKE/USAL TOP 20 FARED

No. 3 Syracuse defeated No. 14 Stanford 12-9
No. 7 Notre Dame defeated Central Michigan 24-5
No. 8 Duke defeated Gardner-Webb 22-3
No. 11 Virginia defeated Elon 18-10

FULL SCOREBOARD

Colorado 14, Louisville 13 (OT)
Michigan 23, Detroit Mercy 2
Navy 18, Cal 10
Pitt 9, Duquesne 8 (OT)
Presbyterian 16, Howard 6
Youngstown State 18, St. Bonaventure 7