WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic women's lacrosse team found themselves back in the win column after hosting Georgian Court University in their home opener at the PBA Lacrosse Field. After an intense first half, the Sailfish were resilient on offensive in the second half of play to notch the 12-8 victory over the Lions. 

PBA was first to score seeing Rachel Delate, assisted by Arianna Tribble, flick the ball over her should into the cage for the 1-0 lead three minutes into play. The Lions were aggressive and netted back-to-back goals to take a quick lead over the 'Fish, 2-1. In the eighth minute of play, a foul from GCU gave PBA a free position attempt. The Sailfish worked the ball around the crease before Taryn Thompson split the defenders to even the playing field, 2-2. Within a minute, Delate nets her second goal of the match in a man-up situation. Bella Marchiano served Delate on the give-and-go to take the 3-2 lead. The Lions were persistent and were able to even the playing field once again, making the score 3-3 at the end of the first quarter.

A tight knit second quarter saw both teams striking on offense, but neither coming up successful. The Lions were first to score again in the seventh minute of play to take a 4-3 advantage over the Sailfish. PBA worked quickly, seeing Delate net two consecutive goals followed by Kristina Fardales with her first goal of the match to jump the 'Fish ahead 6-4. In the final 15 seconds of the first half, GCU was able to cut the deficit to one seeing the Sailfish hold a 6-5 lead at the half.

Olivia Larges opened the third quarter for the Sailfish with her first goal of the match, circling the crease before netting the ball in the cage between the goalkeepers' legs. With a 7-5 lead, Marchiano worked from the top of the crease and beat her defender out to elevate the 'Fish to an 8-5 advantage. Hunter Levinson assisted Larges on a quick play to close out the third quarter with a 9-5 lead for the Sailfish. 

The Lions were relentlessly, scoring within the opening three minutes of play in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to three. Marchiano and Delate wasted no time, both netting a goal to send PBA ahead 11-6. The Sailfish worked diligently on defense to hold the Lions at bay and holding them to eight goals in the game. PBA's final goal of the match came from Larges after splitting her defenders and working in from the top of the crease to secure the 12-8 victory over the Lions. 

PBA will be back in action with a triage of home matches next week. They will start by facing Anderson on Tuesday, March 11 at 1:00 p.m. (EST).