FARMVILLE, Va. – New year, different result.

Longwood women's lacrosse took that to heart Sunday as they avenged last season's road loss to Lafayette with a 13-12 nail-biting home victory behind the leadership of captains Madison Stair and Imani West for their first 1-0 start to a season since the 2013 campaign.

After capturing the early 1-0 lead on sophomore All-Big South performer Molly Barkman's game-winner, Longwood (1-0) held the lead from start-to-finish and saw a lead as large as six goals in the first half.

Stair, who missed the final 16 games last season, came out with ice in her veins scoring four first-half goals helping the Lancers sprint to the 7-1 lead before controlling a 10-5 halftime cushion.

"It feels really good. I don't think I would've been able to do it without my teammates, so I'm just excited to be back and have a good season," said Stair of her first home contest since the 2016 season. "I'm ready to just play again."

"I'm so proud of our team's effort and win," said sixth-year head coach Elaine Jones. "They took the lead from the opening whistle and never gave it up. They came to play with intensity and focus, and everyone contributed in every facet of the game."

West's clutch goalkeeping took over in the second half, as she made 10 saves, six in the second half.  Her most important save came on a free-position shot with just 2:12 remaining and the Lancers clinging to a one-goal advantage. The senior captain stood tall as the Lancers held on down the stretch for the season-opening win.

"She's been amazing since freshman year," said Stair of her fellow captain West. "We have a strong senior class this year and she just leads from the back and she did an amazing job today."

"I give special props to Corri Calandra and Charleigh Kondas for their hustle throughout the game," Jones said. "I also thought our seniors and the play and leadership they displayed was outstanding. Although there are a few things that we didn't get to cover in the preseason, there are things that certainly can be fixed as the season progresses."

In the 7-1 game-opening run, Barkman, Charleigh Kondas, Stair and Dana Joss collected goals led by Stair's early hat trick.

All four Lancers ended the day with at least two tallies as Stair had four and Kaitlin Luccarelli added a second-half score. Both Barkman and Joss led the Lancers with two assists while Riley Dolan and Kondas dished out one each.

"Overall, it was great to win our first game," Jones said. "We will enjoy it today before we get back to work tomorrow in preparation of facing our next challenging opponent."

The distribution of wealth allowed the Lancers to outlast hat tricks from Lafayette's Hannah Davey, Jane Kirby and Emma Novick.

"Throughout the opening weeks, we've been preparing and going as hard as we can," Stair said. "We knew [after last season's result] they'd come out and underestimate us, so we just used that to our advantage and I think it worked well."

The Lancers hit the road Saturday, Feb. 17 as they take on George Washington as part of a three-game stretch away from the friendly confines of Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field. After trips to Commonwealth rival William & Mary and George Mason, the Lancers open a four-game homestand versus Richmond rival VCU.

First draw between the Lancers and Colonials goes up at 1 p.m. from Washington, D.C. as Longwood looks to complete the home-and-home series with two wins.

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