The Mesa State women’s lacrosse team lost to Fort Lewis 16-15 at Walker Field on Wednesday, but made amends for the loss by dominating the Adams State Grizzlies 16-4 for the program’s first home win Saturday.
Mesa State jumped out to an early 4-0 lead against the Skyhawks thanks to a pair of goals from Alexis Rawlings and Allie Henderson. Mesa State had a 6-3 lead 15 minutes into the half, but that lead evaporated after Fort Lewis scored six unanswered goals. The Mavs finished the half trailing 10-7.
The Mavs started the second half quickly as Maria Heilner and Rawlings scored two goals within 40 seconds of the half. Mesa would regain the lead with 10 minutes left in the half with a score of 15-13. Four minutes later Fort Lewis grabbed a goal which was the beginning of the end for the Mavs. The Skyhawks tacked on two more goals, one with a minute and a half remaining to essentially put the game to rest.
Saturday was a new day. The ladies attacked the Grizzlies with a vengeance. The Mavs took an early three goal lead thanks to Brianna True, Rawlings, and Taylor Lansdown. Adams State scored a goal from a free position shot.
Mesa State would go on to score eight unanswered goals to finish off the half.
“I just told them to play the way they know how to, the way they know best and they did great,” coach Abigail Simpson said. “I was really pleased.”
The Mavs took the foot off the gas in the second half, scoring only five goals and giving up three. It was all part of Simpson’s philosophy.
“We need to be classy. I don’t want to run the score up,” Coach Simpson said. “We just wanted to do the right thing.”
Mesa’s Amanda Simon led the home team with four goals, Henderson led the team with five assists, and Lauren Wells made 11 saves.
The Mavs will begin a six game road trip against Fort Lewis in Durango this Sunday at 1 p.m.

jdthomas@mesastate.edu