The Muhlenberg women's lacrosse team overcame a five-goal deficit to win at Moravian, 19-14, in its 2023 season opener.

The Mules trailed 7-2 at the end of the first quarter and 8-3 a minute into the second quarter. From that point on, they outscored the Greyhounds by a 16-6 margin en route to their most goals in an opener since 2015.

Freshman Ava Milia scored five goals on only seven shots in her collegiate debut, and junior Nicole Steiner also netted five goals to tie her career high. Sophomore Jillian Kubikowski, who recorded eight points all last season, started the new campaign with a five-point game. 

Milia completed her hat trick less than five minutes into the second quarter, scoring back-to-back goals that brought Muhlenberg to within 8-6. Moravian scored the next two goals, but the Mules ended the half with four straight - scored by Steiner, Kubikowski, freshman Abba Diglio (her first career goal) and junior Lily Seifert - to draw even at 10-10.

The Greyhounds scored two of the first three goals of the second half, but Muhlenberg took over from there, going on a 6-0 run and holding Moravian scoreless for almost 15 minutes. Steiner scored three goals in the run and Milia netted two. Freshman Ellie Armbruster assisted on one of Steiner's goals for her first career point. 

Milia's five goals were the most by a Mule freshman in her first career game since 2003.

Seifert and seniors Samantha Eynon and Emily Gaffney each scored a pair of goals.

Kubikowski added five draw controls to her five points, while sophomore Rebecca Himelrfarb set a career high with seven draw controls. Less than 24 hours after starting in a women's basketball playoff game, sophomore Emily Vaughan picked up a game-high five ground balls.

Sophomore Ellison Ervin shook off a tough first quarter to make five saves while allowing only four goals in the second half. Freshman Meaghan Haughney played the second quarter and made a save just before halftime to keep the game tied.

pictured above: sophomore Lisa DeCristofaro