Women's Lacrosse | 2/9/2019 5:14:00 PM

Box Score COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Deanna Balsama and Abby Folker both scored the first two goals of their collegiate lacrosse careers against one of the best programs in the country.

The duo combined for four of George Mason's five goals as the Patriots fought hard in a 16-5 loss to No. 2 Maryland on Saturday in the season opener for both teams at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium.

Balsama, a freshman from Sewell, N.J., and Folker, a sophomore from Centreville, Md., both scored twice for their first collegiate goals. Reigning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year Erin Donoghue also scored and won four draw controls.

The Patriots' goalkeepers also stood tall, making 13 saves and holding the Terps to 39 percent shooting on 41 shots. Junior Melissa Semkiw got the start and played the first half, making six saves and allowing nine goals. Senior Elizabeth Benedetto took over after halftime, making seven saves while allowing seven goals.

Mason kept it close in the first half against 14-time national champ Maryland, which reached the Final Four for the 10 straight year last season. Balsama scored the first goal of the game, giving the Patriots a 1-0 lead less than two minutes in.

The Terps fired back, ripping off three straight goals in less than five minutes to take the lead for good. But Mason kept battling, with Donoghue cutting the deficit to one with her first goal of the season off an assist from junior Julianna Brown.  

Maryland answered with another string of three straight goals. Mason twice pulled within three goals after that thanks to goals from Folker, who played in just five games last year, and Balsama. Two goals in the final two minutes gave the Terps a 9-4 lead heading into the break.

Maryland continued to build on the momentum in the second half, scoring five consecutive goals for a 14-4 lead before Folker scored again.

Mason held its own on the draw, winning 10 of 23. Turnovers hurt the Patriots as they committed 18 miscues. They also failed to record a free position attempt, compared to 10 tries from Maryland (which converted five).

In addition to Donohue's four draw controls, Folker recorded three. Donoghue and fellow sophomore Natalya Moody each collected two ground balls and senior captain Chachi Kelehan added an assist.

Mason will look to bounce back when it returns to action at 2 p.m. next Saturday against William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va.