STANDISH, Maine -- Playing for the first time in 375 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bates women's lacrosse team earned a 16-2 non-conference victory at Saint Joseph's College of Maine on Saturday, to kick off an abbreviated 2021 season.

Junior Jordyn Tveter (Topsfield, Mass.) led the Bobcats with three goals and one assist, as they outshot the Monks (1-1) by a 35-17 margin. Bates also had a 20-9 advantage in ground balls, while St. Joe's controlled 10 of 19 draws.

Senior captain Kathryn Grennon (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) led off the scoring with an unassisted tally in the opening minute, finishing with two goals. 

Senior captain Margaret Smith (Wilton, Conn.) made the score 2-0 with an unassisted goal in the game's third minute. Smith added her second goal, the 50th of her career, later in the half. 

Senior Lila Hutchins (Westfield, N.J.) and junior Kate Loughlin (Portsmouth, N.H.) scored twice apiece as well, tying a career-best for both players. Sophomore Sophie Scola (San Mateo, Calif.) added one goal and one assist.

First-year Maddy Roelofs (Rye, N.H.) scored once and led Bates with three draw controls. Sophomore Shelby Howard (Ashland, Mass.) scored a goal and scooped a team-high four ground balls.

Sophomore Cammie Lavoie (Epping, N.H.) and senior Rachael Deptula (Durham, N.H.) split goalie duties in half for Bates, with Lavoie making her first career start. Both goalies made four saves and allowed one goal apiece.

The Bobcats' next scheduled game is the team's NESCAC opener, Saturday April 3 at home against Colby. While more games may be added to the schedule, Bates will play three conference games (vs. Colby Apr. 3; vs. Connecticut College Apr. 10; at Tufts Apr. 24) as well as a second non-conference game against Colby.