GUELPH, Ont. - The Laurier Golden Hawks kicked off their lacrosse season in dominant fashion with a commanding 12-2 win over the McMaster Marauders at the Gryphon Soccer Complex in Guelph on Saturday.

After a back-and-forth opening quarter that saw both teams tied at 2-2, Laurier took control and never looked back, outscoring McMaster 10-0 over the final three quarters.

Rayne Blasutti led the Golden Hawks' offensive explosion with four goals, including a pair in the pivotal second quarter.

Tori Nascimento added two goals, while Olivia Minor, Tiene Gedge, Delaney Keen, Alice Hanlon, and Jace Cormier each chipped in with singles.

Assists came from Kate Ferguson, Minor, and Gedge as Laurier's balanced attack overwhelmed the McMaster defense.

Laurier's defense was equally impressive, holding the Marauders to just five total shots. Goalie Raechel Cowan earned the win, shutting out McMaster over the final three quarters.

McMaster's only goals came early in the first, courtesy of Annika Perrino and Andrea Siroen, but they were quickly answered by Laurier's relentless offense.

The Golden Hawks' six-goal second quarter proved decisive, with Minor's tally at 13:04 standing as the game-winner.

Laurier added two more in each of the third and fourth quarters, while maintaining composure and discipline—neither team recorded a penalty all game.

GAME 2

The Golden Hawks battled hard but ultimately fell 11-9 to the Guelph Gryphons in the back-end of their double-header on Saturday.

The game was tightly contested from the start, with both teams trading goals in the first quarter, finishing tied at 2-2.

Laurier's offense was sparked by Tori Nascimento and Alice Hanlon, who each found the back of the net in the opening frame.

The second quarter saw the Gryphons pull ahead, outscoring Laurier 5-2.

Despite another goal from Nascimento and a late tally from Rayne Blasutti, Laurier trailed 7-4 at halftime.

Goalie Sydney Watson faced a barrage of Guelph shots during this stretch but made several key saves to keep the Golden Hawks within reach.

Laurier mounted a comeback in the third quarter, with Delaney Keen, Jayde Summers, and Nascimento narrowing the gap.

The Golden Hawks matched the Gryphons with three goals apiece in the frame, but Guelph's Lindsay Montgomery delivered what would be the game-winning goal late in the quarter.

In the final quarter, Laurier continued to press, with Keen scoring two more goals, including one assisted by Jace Cormier. However, the Gryphons managed to hold on, adding one more insurance marker from Kassi Hogan to secure the win.

Nascimento led Laurier's offense with a hat trick, while Keen also recorded three goals, and Cormier chipped in with three assists.

Laurier finished with 15 shots on goal, including a late-game surge, but couldn't quite erase the deficit.

Up Next:
Laurier will look to build on their season-opening performances in their next outing on Saturday, September 13, against Western and Brock. Both games will be played at Mustangs Field in London.