The women’s lacrosse team lost its opening game of the season Saturday, falling to Coast Guard 17-9 at Rotch Field.

Senior midfielder Kelli Mark and first-year attacker Lauren Longstreet led the Lions in scoring, contributing three goals each.

Longstreet opened up the content with two quick goals to give Emerson its first and only lead.

“She really set the tone, and especially coming from a first-year, I think it makes everyone want to play at a higher level,” head coach Jessie Koffman said after the game. “She had an amazing first game as a first-year, coming out really not intimidated.”

Coast Guard quickly returned fire, scoring five goals before Mark added a tally with 3:34 remaining in the first half.

The Bears added two additional goals for a 7-3 halftime lead.

Mark, along with junior midfielder Julia Mallon combined for three unanswered goals to start the second half before Coast Guard responded with a goal to make it a two-goal contest. The Hermosa Beach, Calif native, and Longstreet responded with a pair of goals tieing the game with 19:30 remaining. Coast Guard followed up with a momentum-shifting 6-0 run over the next 15 minutes.

Sophomore midfielder Ainsley Basic netted the final Emerson goal before the Bares added two goals to their lead with under two minutes left on the clock.

Emerson will next travel to take on Wheaton at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Dylan Rossiter contributed to this report.