QUINCY, Ill. - Going back and forth until the final minutes, Davenport Univerity women's lacrosse opened the season at Quincy University, but fell short of a win in a 12-11 loss to the Hawks.

QU tabbed the first two goals of the match to take an early lead, but four unanswered scores by DU gave the Panthers a 4-2 lead at the end of the first. Gabby Basha, Theadora Krueger (assist Maddy Haynes), Blakely Malpass, and Brianna Rodriguez (free position) led the effort. Haynes netted her first of two goals at the 12:40 mark of the second period (assist Mika Kulynych), as Krueger tucked another pair. However, the Hawks' offense managed three scores in just over 10 minutes, allowing the opponent to cut into DU's lead to finish the half, 7-5.

The third and fourth periods were much the same. A goal by Alyssa Bird (assist Malpass) just over five minutes gave the Panthers a two-score cushion (8-2), as Malpass converted a free-position shot with 2:41 remaining. Another score by QU closed the period in favor of the Hawks, with the scoreboard reading 9-9 going into the final period.

A 3-2 QU run in the final 15 minutes was highlighted by goals from Haynes (10:53 remaining) and Krueger (assist Jenna Gillis), as a promising effort in DU's first game of 2025 fell short of a win.

Zoe Cassell held her own in the true freshman's collegiate debut, making nine saves for a .429 save percentage. Haynes, Gillis, and Ashley Sanders each recorded a caused turnover. Rodriguez (five), Krueger (four), Cassidy Sanders (three), Jade Remacle and Emma Hulshof (one each) helped lead the 14-13 faceoff battle won by DU.

The Panthers have plenty of time to rest and prepare for their next outing on Tuesday, Feb. 25, as DU travels to UCCS for a trio of contests in the Rocky Mountain State of Colorado.