SPOKANE, Wash. – Whitworth opened the 2023 women's lacrosse season with a 17-6 loss to visiting Southwestern (Texas) in the first game of the WhitLax Classic on Friday afternoon at the Whitworth Pine Bowl.

The Southwestern Pirates improved to 3-0. 

The match was tied 4-4 through one quarter, but Southwestern begin to pull away in the second, outscoring Whitworth 5-1.  The visiting Pirates extended their lead with a 5-0 third period.

Southwestern looked like the team with on-field experience this season, forcing 31 Whitworth turnovers and getting 17 of 21 clear attempts.

DeAnna Hames led Southwestern with five goals and three assists.  Liana Collins scored three goals, while Emma Pertuit finished with a pair of goals and three assists.

Anna Chase scored twice for Whitworth, while Rebecca Irwin had a goal and an assist.  Sierra Witte and Megan Whitman scored their first career goals as Pirates.

Whitworth stayed nearly even in draw controls with the visitors for most of the match before Southwestern ended with a 15-11 advantage.  Kenzie Hemman had six draw controls for the Bucs.  First-year defender Amelie Deese had six caused turnovers.

The tournament continues on Saturday as Whitworth hosts Multnomah and Southwestern plays Whitman.