WEST CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University women's lacrosse junior Arden Kassaleh (Pompton Plains, N.J.) netted five goals as the Cougars fell to Georgian Court University 24-11 in their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference opener.
 
The Cougars fall to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the CACC, while the Lions improve to 4-3 and 1-0 in conference play.
 
The Lions took the early lead with three straight goals. Freshman Jenna Steelman (Mays Landing, N.J.) and Kassaleh tallied scores to cut the score to 3-2. Georgian Court answered with a pair of goals to pull ahead 5-2.
 
The teams trades goals as sophomore Jules Wesler (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) and Kassaleh each scored to make the score 7-4 with under eight minutes left in the half.
 
Senior Rachel Lucia (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) and senior Jessica Collum (Wayne, N.J.) scored back-to-back goals to help Caldwell close the gap to 7-6. Georgian Court closed the half with six goals to lead 13-6 at halftime.
 
The Lions extended their lead to 15-6 early in the second half. Caldwell answered with three straight goals as Lucia netted one and Kasslaeh tallied a two to help cu the score to 15-9 with 20:47 left in the game.
 
The Lions netted next three goals to pull ahead 18-9. Steelman and Kassaleh added late goals for the Cougars.
 
Kassaleh led the way with five and added 13 draw controls. Murphy recorded two assists and four draw controls. Lucia and Steelman each finished with two goals, while Lucia recorded three ground balls. Collum totaled one goal and one assist.
 
Freshman Mia Monacelli (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) played all 60 minutes in net and recorded 20 saves.
 
Caldwell travels to the University of Bridgeport on Tuesday, March 19 for a non-conference game at 4 p.m.