SALISBURY, Md. - Stevenson women's lacrosse senior Brady Heher tied her career-best with five points but the Mustangs could not overcome an eight-goal deficit versus fifth-ranked Salisbury in a season opening 16-9 loss Saturday afternoon at Sea Gull Stadium.

The Mustangs (0-1) have dropped their last six season openers, which have all come against ranked opponents, including five in the top-10. The team also remains winless its former CAC-rival as the Sea Gulls have won all 24 meetings.

A pair of goals in a 40-seconds span for the Sea Gulls (1-0) helped sparked a 3-0 run to open the game, but Stevenson answered with three straight of its own, including a pair by Heher. Heher also picked up an assist on the first career goal by freshman Kiely Bunce.

After the host reclaimed a two-goal lead, junior Amanda Robshaw got the Mustangs back within one with 7:20 remaining in the opening half with her first goal since her rookie season. But Salisbury added a pair of goals to take a 7-5 halftime lead.

The Sea Gulls scored five goals in the opening 10 minutes of the second half to build an eight goal lead before senior Mackenzie Reese stopped the run with her first goal of the season. Classmate Olivia Monteiro also netted her first of the season on the second assist by Heher.

The teams traded goals to end the game, including the second score by Bunce and the third goal by Heher. Monteiro finished with two goals and two assists as well as a game-high five draw controls.

Making her first career start, freshman Mack Ferguson finished with eight saves.

The trio of Dana King, Gabbi Nieves and Kristen Murphy combined for 13 points with all three players netting hat tricks.

Stevenson returns to action on Wednesday, February 22 when the Mustangs travel to local-foe McDaniel for a non-conference contest beginning at 6:00 p.m.