WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic women's lacrosse team stayed at home for its second game of the season against No. 9 ranked Flagler. The Sailfish battled well against a top-ranked side, but the Saints pulled away in the second half winning 16-8. PBA's record falls to 0-2 early in the season.

The Sailfish defense was improved early tonight compared to their opening matchup against Florida Tech earlier this week. PBA held Flagler to just two goals in the opening 15 minutes of play mostly behind the strong play of goalie Courtney Rausch. She made six saves on ten shots from the visitors in the first quarter as she kept the 'Fish in the contest while offensively, freshman Taryn Thompson scored her first goal of the season as PBA trailed 2-1.

The offense picked up in the second quarter from both sides. Flagler outscored PBA 5-4, but the Sailfish were within striking distance against a top-10 opponent. The 'Fish were sharing the ball well offensively as multiple PBA players found the ball in dangerous territories around the net to score. Bella Marchiano, Megan Jackson, Rachel Delate, and Olivia Larges all scored in the quarter as PBA was down 7-5 at the half. 

Despite being heavily outshot on the night, PBA remained in the game with quality looks of their own and play from Rausch. As the night went on, the Sailfish began to give in to Saints pressure as they were outscored 9-3 in the second half. PBA was outshot 41-14 for the game while Rausch made 15 saves on the night. Delate scored the only Sailfish goal in the third while Larges and Addyson Johnson found the back of the net in the fourth quarter.

Newcomer Delate has been a bright spot for the Sailfish offensively as she has recorded seven goals and three assists in the two games so far this year. Defender Katie Caras was strong per usual for PBA as she recorded two caused turnovers and picked up five ground balls.

The Sailfish have two weeks off to regroup and improve a young squad that has played two top sides evenly for portions of the two games so far. PBA has a scrimmage against the Scottish National Team on Feb. 13 before they return to competitive play against Rollins on Feb. 23. It will be the first Sunshine State Conference match of the season for PBA against a strong Tars side who is 2-0 so far this season.