NEWBERRY - The Newberry women's lacrosse team (1-0) defeated the Columbia Koalas (0-1) in their season opener by a final of 9-5 at Setzler Field on Saturday afternoon. 

Kylee Shoop had four goals in the contest posting a new career-high for the junior midfielder. Shoop opened up the scoring for Newberry in the first six minutes, notching two goals less than two minutes apart. 

The Koalas would strike back with two goals of their own to tie the game with just over 13 minutes left in the first half. A goal from Kendra Blackstocka evened the scoring at 13:34 of the first half. 

Newberry's Maddie Campbell countered with a goal of her own just over a minute later to give the Wolves a 3-2 lead. The Wolves held the one-goal advantage entering halftime. Campbell also dished out an assist on the afternoon. 

Head coach Rashelle McLellan spoke to her players at the break after Columbia closed the gap. "I told our girls that they are not the same team they were when they played them in the fall, and we need to play our game. Execute what we have been doing in practice, and come out with some intesity."

Columbia came out of halftime with a goal from Sunema Mauga who scored just over three minutes into the second half. However, Newberry responded with back-to-back goals from Shoop and Rachel Dillon in a 21-second span. Mauga led the Koalas with two goals in the match.

Shoop then scored her fourth and final goal at the 24:42 mark of the second half to give the Wolves a 6-3 advantage. 

Dillon, Naomi Killian, and Helen Kuhn all added late goals to preserve the win for Newberry.  

Brandy Bowman was stellar between the pipes for the Wolves finishing the game with 12 saves.

Shoop led all players with eight ground balls. Newberry also held the advantage in draw controls over Columbia, 12-4. 

The Wolves will return to Setzler Field next weekend when they host North Greenville on Saturday, Feb. 18. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.