SAN RAFAEL, Calif. -- Freshman Morgan Newkirk put the women's lacrosse world on high-alert as she led Dominican University of California (1-0) to a 22-9 victory Saturday over UC Santa Barbara (1-1) in its inaugural game at Kennelly Field. 
 
Newkirk didn't waste a single second as she capitalized in transition off the very first draw and gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead just 12 seconds into the game. Newkirk would go on to tally five total goals and an assist on the afternoon. 
 
"The whole day felt like a monumental tribute to all of the hard work our team had been putting in since the summer," Newkirk said. "That goal made a reality that our mindset and the grind this winter had really worked."
 
Dominican dominated the draw circle to start the game as freshman Macie Wood showed poise in face offs while finding the back of the net twice, also adding an assist.  Sophomore Brooke Vafi finished with seven points — 4 goals and 3 assists — as the Penguins high-flying offense was on full display. Perhaps Vaif's most memorable moment happened late in the first frame when she tallied a lefty finish that capped off an 8-2 Dominican run. 
 
"We started off hot," head coach Joseph Manna said. "Our starters knew their role, they knew their assignments and they executed." 
 
The Penguins offense continued to roll as freshman Olivia Johnson had undoubtedly the goal of the day with an immaculate behind-the-back shot as she darted towards the right post. The goal was setup by a timely, caused turnover in transition by freshman Morgan Dougherty who read the play before capitalizing on an opportunity to put her team back on offense. Johnson finished the game with two goals and three assists.
 
"We excelled in the middle of the field," Manna said. "You can't always replicate that part of the game in practice. So, to have that kind of success in the first game of the season says a lot about the talent we have on this team."  
 
UCSB didn't go down without a fight as their aggressive style of play led to four goals in the second stanza while momentum started to shift in its favor. Dominican regrouped and eventually found themselves in command with a seven goal advantage at the half, leading 13-6. 
 
Freshman Taylor Pieri, who finished the day with three goals and an assist, opened the half with laser that was poised to find the twine the second it left the netting of her stick. The Penguin defense settled early in the second half, halting the UCSB offense that began to find its footing near the end of the first half. Dominican went on another 8-2 run, ending the game the same way it started as the programs inaugural matchup ended with a 22-9 victory. 
 
Dominican now looks ahead to its first road trip as it travels south to Santa Barbara where it will face USC, Oregon State and University of Arizona in a tournament beginning Thursday, Feb. 2.