Opening the third annual Lax-A-Palooza, ninth-ranked Loyola Maryland handed the Boston University women's lacrosse team an 18-11 defeat Saturday afternoon at Nickerson Field. How It Happened Avery Donahoe worked her way from behind the cage to and delivered the opening goal falling to the ground 29 seconds in. The Terriers forced back-to-back Loyola turnovers before the Greyhounds broke through to knot the score six minutes in. Molly Kern responded just over a minute later as she weaved through the defense from the top of the crease to reclaim the upper hand. Loyola took over on the draw control, winning six of the next seven decisions en route to pulling ahead, 8-2, with 11:32 left in the opening half. Kaitlin Belval snapped a 9-0 run by the Greyhounds, dodging past a defender and slung in her seventh goal of the year to make it a 10-3 game with 6:26 on the cock. The Greyhounds scored twice right before the break to take a 12-3 lead into the locker room. Sarah Andersen took advantage of a woman-up situation to start the second half, working solo through the attacking third before going upper-90. Donahoe kept the offense clicking by finding a cutting Lexi Lewis, who beat the keeper to make it a 12-5 game. Belval snapped another Greyhound run, this time halting a 3-0 streak as she roped in her second score of the game. Loyola scored its third free position goal of the game to go back up by double digits, but Kern and Emily Vervlied delivered back-to-back scores to make it an eight-goal game with 10 minutes to go. BU stayed hot on offense as it turned a 5-1 run over a nine-minute span as Kailey Conry and Kelly Mathews got on the board to cut the deficit to 17-11 with 4:39 remaining. Loyola tacked on one more goal with 38 seconds left to seal the win. Game Notes BU outscored Loyola 8-6 in the second half and outshot the Greyhounds 24-12. Belval posted an all-around game with five draw controls, three caused turnovers and two goals. Tonianne Magnelli also won five draw controls and caused a trio of turnovers. Vervlied led the team with four ground balls and posted one goal and one assist. Loyola won its 38th straight regular season Patriot League contest. Saturday marked the fourth ranked opponent the Terriers have faced this season. BU will face one more ranked opponent as it will take on to current No. 13 Navy to close out the regular season on Saturday, April 28. Up Next BU will remain at Nickerson Field as it hosts Harvard on Wednesday, April 4. Opening draw is set for 7 p.m.