GUELPH, Ont.- The Golden Hawks women's lacrosse team earned a split in their season opening double-header at the University of Guelph on Sunday, taking a convincing 15-6 win over McMaster before dropping a 12-6 decision to Western.

The first match-up of the day against McMaster saw the debut of new co-head coach Tamara Grant alongside fifth-year co-head coach Erica Shortt on the Laurier bench.

Despite the Marauders jumping out to a 1-0 lead just 52 seconds into the game, the Golden Hawks welcomed her into the fold in style, as Madi Snyder tied things up just under three minutes later to start a string of six straight Laurier goals.

Snyder would add a second goal in that span while Anne-Marie Ward tallied a pair of her own. Riey Marwick also got on the scoresheet before the Golden Hawks even allowed a second McMaster goal.

At the halftime break, Laurier found themselves with a comfortable 7-2 lead.

The second half began with the Golden Hawks asserting full control of the game, outscoring the Marauders 4-1 in the third to take a 11-3 lead heading into the fourth. 

Snyder completed her hat trick just 11 seconds in while Amelia Obee and Delaney Keen tallied singles before Ward completed her own trifecta. She added a game-high fourth goal just over a minute into the final frame while Megan McGrath, Madeline Linklater, and Kara Patton rounded out the scoring.

Game two saw a slow start cost the Golden Hawks as the Mustangs scored just 28 seconds in for the first of five unanswered goals to take a 5-0 lead.

Laurier finally broke the goalless streak a minute into the second, as the two teams traded goals twice before the halftime. Western led it 8-2 at the break.

The second half was a completely different game, as both teams scored four goals apiece, but it also allowed the Mustangs to hang on for the win.

Rayne Blasutti and Keen had two goals apiece to lead Laurier in scoring, while Marwick and Patton added singles.

The Golden Hawks (1-1) will be back in action on Sunday in St. Catherines to take on Guelph and Brock. Both games will be played at Brock Alumni Field at 10:15 am and 1:45 pm, respectively.