The St. Mary’s College of Maryland women’s lacrosse team opened its 2026 season with a 17-9 loss to Roanoke College on Saturday, February 14, in Salem, Virginia. The non-conference road contest marked the debut for first-year Head Coach Madison Heck, who assumed the role in August 2025 as the program’s 15th head coach.
Roanoke (1-0) struck first with two goals from Maddie McDonald for a 2-0 lead by 13:42 in the first quarter. The Seahawks responded quickly, with sophomore attacker Sophia Kent (Chesterville, Md./Gunston) and junior midfielder Hope Harrison (Catonsville, Md./Mount de Sales) scoring two of the next three goals to narrow the gap to 3-2 at 10:58. The Maroons then surged with four consecutive goals to build a 7-3 advantage with 2:32 left in the half. First-year attacker Sarah Fitter (Ellicott City, Md./Marriotts Ridge) added her first collegiate goal for St. Mary’s, sending the teams to halftime with Roanoke leading 9-5 after both sides scored twice in the second quarter.
Roanoke opened the third quarter with three straight goals to extend its lead to 12-5. St. Mary’s mounted a 3-0 run to close within 12-8 with 14:11 remaining in the game. The Maroons answered with a five-goal spurt to reach a 17-8 margin by 5:39 left in regulation, sealing the outcome.
St. Mary’s held a slight 30-29 edge in shots, and turnovers were even at 15 each. Roanoke dominated draw controls 16-12 and ground balls 20-12. The Maroons converted 5-of-6 free-position shots, while the Seahawks went 1-for-6.
Harrison led St. Mary’s with three points on two goals and one assist. Senior captain Katelin Scala (Catonsville, Md./Mount de Sales) and junior midfielder Sanne Elling (Ocean View, Del./Sussex) each scored twice. Senior captain Carsyn Smith (Crownsville, Md./Old Mill) and junior defender Claire Boudreau (Towson, Md./Towson) each collected three ground balls, with Smith adding two caused turnovers. Scala, Harrison, and Elling each won three draw controls. Junior goalie Allie Greeley (Havre de Grace, Md./Havre de Grace) made nine saves.
For Roanoke, McDonald posted a game-high seven goals and won seven draw controls. Goalie Kendall Todd recorded 14 saves in the victory.
The Seahawks, now 0-1, face a quick turnaround with a road game at Lynchburg (1-0) on Thursday, February 19, at 5 p.m. in Lynchburg, Virginia, followed by a home contest against Shenandoah (1-0) on Saturday, February 21, at 3:30 p.m. in Jamie L. Roberts Stadium in St. Mary’s City, Maryland.
Heck, who began her tenure after previous coaching roles, brings fresh leadership to the Southern Maryland program as it competes in Division III. The early-season test against Roanoke provides valuable insights for building momentum amid a competitive schedule.