DANVILLE, Va. — Three players accounted for the Cougars' scoring as Averett University women's lacrosse made its debut with a 16-6 non-conference loss to Guilford College Tuesday on Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.

Averett (0-1) got a hat trick from freshman Shayla Johnson, as well as two goals from freshman Elizabeth Peasley. Freshman Xasia Lewis scored the first goal of the Cougars' lacrosse program's modern era with 18 minutes left in the first half to tie the game, 1-1.

"We are extremely proud of the effort and teamwork from this group during their first game," first year head coach Kelly Ryan said. "We played hard for 60 minutes, surprised ourselves at times and ultimately proved that together we have the potential to make an impact as a first-year program. We will continue to learn and improve each day as we work to obtain our goals this season."

Guilford (1-0) broke a 1-1 tie as Madison Iandoli scored the first and second of her four goals as the Quakers surged ahead 4-1 in the first half. Johnson pulled Averett within 4-2 with a free position score just before halftime.

Averett fought back to get within 9-6 on back-to-back scores by Peasley and Johnson, but Guilford finished the game with seven unanswered goals.

In goal, freshman Breanne Sawall finished with 20 saves.

Averett previously sponsored women's lacrosse from 2003-07 before it made its return this spring.

The Cougars open conference play on Saturday when they play host to N.C. Wesleyan College at 1 p.m.