Sophomores Katie VanDeValk (Baldwinsville, NY) and Alyssa Cristaldi (North Syracuse, NY) staked the Clarkson University Women’s Lacrosse team to a 2-0 lead less than three minutes into the Liberty League opener at the University of Rochester on Friday afternoon, but the Yellowjackets took control from there with seven unanswered goals en route to a 10-6 victory in Rochester.

The Yellowjackets (2-4, 1-0) led 4-2 after the first half and built their advantage to 7-2 with 24 minutes to play. The Golden Knights tallied the next three goals to cut the deficit to 7-5 with 15:39 left on the clock. Rochester, however, pulled away by scoring three of the game’s final four goals.

Cristaldi led the Green and Gold with three goals. VanDeValk netted two goals and one assist. Freshman Marissa Mastronardi (Cortland, NY) also scored a goal.

The Yellowjackets’ Niki Holmes led all scorers with five points, including four goals.

Rochester dominated on the stat sheet, outshooting Clarkson 35-17 and controlling groundballs 26-9.

Junior Hannah Walters (Amherst, NH) made 16 saves. VanDeValk picked up a team-high four groundballs and forced five Rochester turnovers. Junior Saryn Campbell (West Bolton, VT) recorded seven draw controls.

At 1-4, the Knights will face league powerhouse William Smith in Geneva, NY on Saturday in a conference game beginning at 2:00 p.m.