WEST CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University women's lacrosse sophomore Madison Ellis (Wayne, N.J.) netted five goals as the Cougars fell to St. Thomas Aquinas College 18-7 in their home opener.
 
The Cougars fall to 0-3 overall, while the Spartans improve to 1-5.
 
Caldwell scored twice in the opener quarter as Ellis and senior Emily Lasko (Jackson, N.J.) got the Cougars on the board, trailing 4-2 after the first quarter.
 
Ellis scored three times in the second quarter, including a down goal, while Lasko added one as the Cougars pulled to within 8-6 late in the first half. The Spartans scored a pair of goals late to hold a 10-6 lead at halftime.
 
Ellis netted the lone Caldwell goal in the second half as the Spartans outscored the Cougars 8-1 in the second half.
 
Freshman Sarahkate Schneider (Somerset, N.J.) recorded three saves in 24 minutes of action in net, while freshman Serena Barra (Cranford, N.J.) posted four saves in 36 minutes in net.
 
The Cougars host the University of the District of Columbia on Wednesday, March 15 at 4 pm at Essex Valley Field in West Caldwell.