GALLOWAY, N.J. – The Neumann University Women's Lacrosse team got the new season underway on Tuesday with an 11-9 loss against Stockton University in non-conference action.         
 
After giving up the game's first two goals on free positions, the Knights nabbed their first goal of the season with 3:50 left in the first. Gracie Kucia slipped a pass to the crease and Tessa Vannello scored to cut the deficit in half. With 11:31 left in the second, Rachel Roane rolled in the tying goal after a Vannello pass. 1:26 later, Maggie Miller grabbed a ground ball and started a fast break. Roane received a pass on the crease and gave the Knights the lead. The lead lasted 49 seconds when the Ospreys equalized at 3-3. That started a five-goal run, giving them a 7-3 lead at the half.
 
Stockton scored the first three goals of the third to take a seven-goal lead. With 6:14 left, Catka moved in from behind the cage to break the run. She added the hat trick goal 24 seconds later, on a pass from Ainsley George. Kucia picked up her first collegiate goal at the 3:45 mark to pull within four at 10-6 heading into the fourth.
 
5:38 into the final quarter, Vannello struck on a fast break and on the ensuing draw control, Catka grabbed control and weaved through the defense for another Neumann goal, nine seconds later. The Knights continued their run, pulling within one on Krista Geibler's first of the season with 7:51 left. Stockton ended Neumann's run at six when they struck with 3:09 left in regulation to close out the game.
 
Catka led the Knights with three goals on five shots with three ground balls and a game-high 10 draw controls. Vannello finished with a five-point game, grabbing two goals and three assists. Roane added two goals of her own. Miller led with four ground balls while Arianna Hutchison caused three turnovers. Sarah Kiraly made seven saves in goal.
 
Neumann (0-1) will be back in action on Wednesday, February 25^th when they visit Ursinus College for a 4:00 PM start.