The Marist women's lacrosse team dropped its 2020 home opener on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 17-7. With the loss, the Red Foxes fall to 0-4 on the season. Meanwhile, the Scarlet Knights remain undefeated and improve their record to 4-0. SUMMARY Marist struck first, as Kelly George found the back of the net eight minutes into the game to put the Red Foxes in front 1-0. Rutgers would take the lead for good just four minutes later, as back-to-back goals from Cassidy Spilis and Samantha Rudd put the Scarlet Knights in front 2-1. Rutgers scored the next five goals, making it an extended 7-0 run, and held a 7-2 lead at the 5:14 mark of the first half. The Red Foxes answered with back-to-back goals of their own, from Alexandra Di Chiara and George, but the Scarlet Knights were able to halt Marist's momentum and take a 10-3 lead into the halftime locker room. Rutgers kept its foot on the gas in the second half, scoring the next three goals out of the break. Both teams traded goals the rest of the way, and the Scarlet Knights went on to win 17-7. KEY STATS Di Chiara, George, and Samantha Mehalick each had two goals to lead Marist's offense. George also had an assist, to total three points. Isabelle Stockman had a game-high seven draw controls. Jana Rothman and Devon Connolly each had a team-high two ground balls. Delaney Galvin totaled eight saves. Taralyn Naslonski scored a game-high six goals for the Scarlet Knights. Budd also had a hat trick. The Red Foxes had the advantage on the draw, 14-11. Rutgers was 20-21 in clears, while Marist was 15-17. NOTES The Red Foxes are now 0-5 in the history of the program against Rutgers. Mehalick's goal at the 12:20 mark in the second half moved her into sole possession of third place on the program's all-time points list. George connected with Mehalick for another goal just two minutes later, and that assist gave George sole possession of seventh place on Marist's all-time assists list. Stockman had never tallied a draw control in her career prior today, and her seven draw controls matched a team-high for the season. Jessica Lasaponara scored her first goal of the season in the second half. UP NEXT The Red Foxes will host Binghamton in their second game of a five-game homestand on Saturday, February 29. The game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.