SAN RAFAEL, Calif.- Dominican men's lacrosse took the field for the first time in 2026 Thursday afternoon for their season opener hosting the Griffins of Westminster University. While some programs are battling out the harsh winter weather, there couldn't have been a more perfect day out on Kennelly field as the Penguins battled it out with a conference foe.

The black and gold proved they were ready to get the season going as they came out on fire to begin the game. Dominican would score four consecutive goals, two of them courtesy of sophomore Will Elfline. Elfline would call his own number on both occasions finding a soft spot in the Griffins defense and capitalizing by rocketing both in the back of the net. Newcomer Hunter Smith proved why the Penguins went out and got him as he capped off the 4-0 run with an impressive faceoff win and taking it all the way down the field for an electric goal.

Westminster would fight back in the second quarter led by Luke Sillstrop. The Penguins defense stepped up big in the first half only allowing the Griffins to get five goals. They were led by junior goalkeeper Cole Rutz who was a menace in the cage coming up with a game high 22 saves while also coming up with a caused turnover. Tristan Lawrence, Wyatt Holtman, Hunter Smith and Casey Garcia all had three ground balls a piece.

Dominican will now hit the road as they square off against University of Alabama at Huntsville in Tennessee Feb. 13^th at 3 p.m. EST