UTICA, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly women's lacrosse team opened up their 2024 season on Saturday afternoon against Keuka College. The Wildcats used a five-goal third quarter en route to an 11-8 victory. Katie Kopcza scored 7 goals to help the Wildcats improve to 1-0 on the season. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Katie Kopcza scored the first goal of the afternoon to kick off the 2024 season to put the Wildcats up 1-0, but the rest of the 1st quarter would be all Keuka as three different Wolves players scored a goal to give Keuka a 3-1 lead at the end of the quarter. In the second quarter, the Wildcats would begin to dig into the deficit when they scored three consecutive goals to tie the game at 4-1. Callie Johnson and Madyn LaFleur each scored a goal in the second quarter to go along with Kopcza completing the first-half hat trick. Keuka would take a 6-5 lead into halftime.

The third quarter would prove to be pivotal for the Wildcats, who scored the first three goals of the quarter to take an 8-6 lead, their first lead since the opening goal. They would maintain the lead for the remainder of the quarter, and lead 10-8 heading into the final quarter. In the last quarter, Kopcza scored her 7th goal of the game with 7:52 remaining to seal the deal for the Wildcats, who hung on for the 11-8 victory. Jayden Brown had an incredible 17 saves in net for the Wildcats, earning the win in net. 

UP NEXT: 

The Wildcats are back in action on Tuesday, March 5th as they host Russell Sage at 6:00 PM.