Charlotte Powell recorded her second five-goal game and Isabel Silvia scored four goals and assisted on another, but a strong first-half helped lift Union to an 18-14 win over the St. Lawrence University women's lacrosse team in the Liberty League opener on Friday afternoon in Schenectady, New York.

Silvia also recorded four draw control wins, picked up three ground balls and caused four turnovers for the Saints. Morgan Arakelian scored two goals and added two assists for four points, while Jaime Allan finished with three points (2G,1A) and Rachel Burke added two points (1G,1A).

St. Lawrence struck first with a quick pass from Laura Wells to Silvia just outside the Union crease to take a 1-0 lead, just about three minutes into the first half. Powell put the Saints up 2-0 on a free-position goal, before the Saints and the Dutchwomen traded two goals each. Powell also gave the Scarlet and Brown a 5-2 lead off the pass from Arakelian before Union posted a seven-goal run to take a 9-5 lead at halftime.

Silvia opened the second half with back-to-back goals including a man-up goal for her fifth of the season, bringing the Saints back within two. Union struck back with a 4-1 run to take a 13-8 lead with 20:39 to play.

Allan and Arakelian both scored back-to-back goals down the stretch for the Saints, but five more goals for the Dutchwomen helped Union hold the lead through the second half.

Both teams tallied nine goals each in the second half, but a strong ending to the first-half helped seal the win for Union.

"We fought really hard in our first league competition," said head coach Hannah Corkery '11. "We are excited to compete tomorrow at home and execute our game plan. Not only are we excited but welcome the challenge."

Lindsay Gerrato led the Dutchwomen with six goals, one assist and six draw control wins. Grace Heiting, Sydney McPartlon and Isabel Bush each recorded two goals and an assist for Union.

Saints' goalkeeper Courtney Lynn made 11 saves, while Union's Jenna Paszek made five.

Union held a 38-25 advantage in shots, while both teams picked up 19 ground balls each.

St. Lawrence moved to 1-1 on the season, while Union picked up its first win of the season at 1-0.

The Saints will host Union in the second half of the home-and-away series at North Country Field, tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m.