Exactly 1,185 days after South Florida announced that it would be adding women's lacrosse as a varsity sport, the Bulls took the field for an official Division I game for the first time Friday, looking more like a seasoned program than one making its debut.

The Bulls, in front of an Opening Day crowd of 2,386 in Tampa, cruised to a 19-6 win against Kennesaw State Friday. It took just 48 seconds for USF to get on the scoreboard as the Bulls built a 6-0 lead in the first quarter and didn't look back. South Florida had a 37-21 advantage in shots and forced 15 Owl turnovers.

Sofia Chepenik led the offensive barrage with four goals and two assists, while Bailey Morris added four goals of her own for the Bulls, who had 10 different players figure in the scoring. Goalie Paige Pagano made six saves to get the win.

Meanwhile, Old Dominion rode a four-goal effort from freshman Sarah Murrell as the Monarchs pulled away for a 13-6 win against Longwood at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex. 

ODU gained a quick 3-0 lead, built a 7-1 cushion by halftime and withstood the Lancers' third-quarter comeback bid by closing with a 5-1 fourth quarter.

James Madison came up short in a matchup of top-20 programs as the No. 16 Dukes were unable to solve No. 4 North Carolina in a 14-2 setback in Chapel Hill. Temple dropped a heartbreaker at Delaware as the Owls erased a 10-6 third quarter deficit to tie the game at 10-10 before the Blue Hens scored the last two goals to prevail 12-10.


Friday, February 7
South Florida 19, Kennesaw State 6
Old Dominion 13, Longwood 6
North Carolina 14, James Madison 2
Delaware 12, Temple 10