ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - The Bard women's lacrosse team opened the 2024 season on a rainy Wednesday night at Ferrari Field, dropping a 21-5 result against Maritime.

Junior Izzi Popolizio led the Raptors' attack with three goals, and first-year Gwendolyn Jamison had the other two for Bard. Jamison and Popolizio also added an assist each. 

Maritime (1-0) took an early lead on Bard (0-1) in the opening minutes, but junior Izzi Popolizio re-energized the Raptors with a goal with 30 seconds left in the first period. The Raptors scored twice and held Maritime scoreless for the first 10 minutes of the second quarter to cut the deficit to 6-3, but the visitors went on a run to close the half which put the lead out of reach.

The goals were Popolizio's fifth career hat trick, and the team also benefited from big contributions from Ella Perreault, Maya Junkins, and Morgan Ruhle. Perreault caused a turnover and picked up two ground balls, Junkins had four draw controls, two ground balls as well as forcing a turnover of her own, and Ruhle had two draw controls and two ground balls. Sophomore goalie Lexie Blackburn had nine saves in the contest. 

The team will travel to Worcester, Massachusetts for a match against Clark University on Saturday at 1 PM.