WEST CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University women's lacrosse junior Maryellen McCarthy (Levittown, N.Y.) netted a pair of goals as the Cougars fell to Roberts Wesleyan College 14-5 in their home opener.

The Cougars fall to 0-3 on the season, while the Red Hawks improve to 7-4.

Caldwell and Roberts Wesleyan traded goals over most of the first half. The Red Hawks took the lead less than five minutes into the game. Sophomore Arden Kassaleh (Pompton Plains, N.J.) scored off an assist from freshman Samantha Murphy (Pompton Plains, N.J.) to even the score at 1-1.

The Red Hawks netted a goal at the 21:40 mark to retake the lead but McCarthy scored less than a minute late to tie the score. Roberts Wesleyan went back in front midway through the opening half. McCarthy scored about a minute late off an assist from senior Pamela Schenck (East Moriches, N.Y.) to even the score at three.

Roberts Wesleyan pushed ahead 4-3 with a goal at the 12:41 mark. Junior Rachel Lucia (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) added a goal to tie the game at four. The Red Hawks closed the half with four goals to take an 8-4 lead at halftime.

The Red Hawks added a goal midway through the second half but junior Jessica Collum (Wayne, N.J.) scored the lone Caldwell goal of the second half at the 13:44 mark. Roberts Wesleyan added five goals over the final eight minutes to extend their lead.

Junior Nancy Benedetto (Jupiter, Fla.) finished with 16 saves in the loss. Lucia totaled three caused turnovers and two draw controls, while Kassaleh added three draw controls and tow caused turnovers. Murphy recorded a pair of draw controls.

The Cougars host Felician University in their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference opener on Tuesday, March 27 at 4 pm at Essex Valley Field.