SAN RAFAEL, Calif.- Dominican women's lacrosse (1-0) opened their 2026 campaign Friday afternoon hosting the Ravens of Franklin Pierce University. The Penguins, fresh off their first NCAA season that saw them in the conference championship, look poised to make another strong run. Sophomore Kyra Evans who had a stellar rookie season led the way for the Penguins offensively as she posted a game high three goals while earning five draw controls.

Senior leader Morgan Newkirk recorded the first points of the 2026 season for the black and gold when she took a nice dish from teammate Sydney Gunnerson and rocketed past the goalie to tie the game. Two minutes later it was newcomer Ryan Bionda introducing herself to the Penguin fateful as she recorded a sweet looking goal assisted on the play by Evans. The Coastal Carolina graduate transfer would finish tied with teammates Newkirk and Olivia Johnson with two goals while racking up four ground balls. 

Midway through the second quarter Dominican had a 5-2 advantage, but they would close out the half on 3-0 run. Bionda, Johnson, and junior Alayna Cipolla would all call their own number slicing through the Ravens defense for some big-time goals. Cipolla, the Pennsylvania native, capped off the run with a slick quick shot goal that had the Ravens defense looking confused scoring with five seconds left before half.

Defensively, the Penguins gave Franklin Pierce fits all day holding the east coast team to only four goals and 11 shots. Freshman Kate Baell got the nod in the cage for Dominican and picked up the goalie victory while senior Katherine Chavez led the way with seven saves. Elke Moerkeseth was a menace for the black and gold on the backend of their defense collecting a game high five steals while picking up a game high five ground balls. The Penguins as a team were stout throughout the day coming up with 15 steals with Moerkeseth and Johnson leading the way.

In the second half Dominican would keep the gas on the pedal outscoring the Ravens 8-2 with Evans leading the surge collecting two of her three goals.

The Penguins will be back in action Feb. 15^th as they host Franklin Pierce at 11 a.m.