Mercer women's lacrosse fell to the High Point Panthers, 11-18, in Friday's season opener at Vert Stadium. High Point jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead within the first five minutes. Junior Cailey Thornburg scored the first goal of the 2020 season with an assist from Lily Morin. Morin would then go on to score her first goal of the season 1:47 later, to put the Bears within one. The Panthers would go on a three goal run until sophomore Hailey Rhatigan scored her first goal. Rhatigan would record the next goal for Mercer, followed by a goal from Michaela Lucas. Hailey Rhatigan would record her 12th hattrick of her young career with an unassisted goal. The Black and Orange would go into halftime down by three, 6-9. The Panthers would open the second half with another 3-0 run. The Beas would end it with an unassisted goal from freshman Chloe Schaeffer and Eva Thorn. High Point would go on their longest run, 5-0, over the next 9:04. Cailey Thornburg would open up a 3-0 run from the Bears and score her second goal of the game with an assist from Eva Thorn. Sami Van Slyke and Eva Thorn would follow with a pair of unassisted goals. The late rally would not be enough and the Panthers would take the match 18-11. NOTABLES Sophomore Hailey Rhatigan led the Bears with three goals in the game, registering her 12th hattrick of her career. Senior Eva Thorn leads Mercer in points with four, two goals and two assists. Michaela Lucas led the Black and Orange with eight groundballs, followed by Lily Morin with five, and Catie Snee with four. Goalies Iseabal Cryne and Kathryn Vanderlinde each recorded three saves, Cryne with 14 goals against and Vanderlinde with four. NEXT UP Mercer will continue their three game road stand in Boiling Springs, N.C. when they take on the Garnder-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs. The game is set for 7 p.m at Spangler Stadium.