ALBANY, N.Y. - The Niagara women's lacrosse team (0-1, 0-0 MAAC) dropped its season-opening game to the host Albany Great Danes (1-1, 0-0 America East) by a final score of 24-2 on Saturday afternoon.

The Great Danes struck quickly, scoring five goals in the opening seven minutes for a lead that they would never releinquish. Freshman Fran Pollastro scored her first collegiate goal to put the Purple Eagles back into the game at 5-1, but Albany would close the half on a 13-0 run for an 18-1 halftime lead.

Albany would score three straight goals to open the second half for a 21-1 lead, before Caitlin Sacco scored Niagara's second goal of the game. The Great Danes would score three more times during the second half to put away the game for good.

Sophomore Alma Aponte made 24 saves for the Purple Eagles.

Niagara is back in action on Tuesday, March 9, when they travel to take on St. Francis (Pa.) in a make-up game.