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BALTIMORE—Three Retrievers notched hat tricks as the UMBC women's lacrosse team (7-3, 1-0 America East) defeated New Hampshire (5-4, 0-1 America East) by a score of 10-8 Saturday afternoon at UMBC Stadium in the America East Conference opener for both teams.

The Wildcats led, 3-2, after 10:35, but a free-position goal by senior attack Erika Braerman (Fallston, Md./Fallston) with 16:51 to play in the half sparked a 5-0 UMBC run that lasted more than eight minutes and gave the Retrievers a 7-3 lead. UNH responded with three of the final four goals of the period, and UMBC led, 8-6, at the break.

New Hampshire midfielder Kate Keagins found the back of the net just 57 seconds into the second half to pull the Wildcats to within one, 8-7. The teams alternated goals to make it 9-8 with 22:51 remaining, but neither team scored again until junior midfielder Alicia Krause (Ellicott City, Md./Mount Hebron/Duquesne) tallied an unassisted goal with 9:52 to play.

That would be the last goal either team would score. Senior goalie Natalie Rau (Forest Hill, Md./Fallston) came up with a big save with 4:34 remaining, and the Retrievers were able to run out the clock.

Krause was named UMBC's America East Player of the Game with four points on three goals and an assist to go along with two ground balls and three draw controls. Senior midfielder Amanda Pappas (Pasadena, Md./Chesapeake) also tallied four points on three goals and an assist, while Braerman posted UMBC's third hat trick of the game.

New Hampshire midfielder Hayley Rausch earned her team's Player of the Game honor with four points on two goals and two helpers. Keagins and midfielder Ilana Cohen also tallied twice for the Wildcats.

Rau finished with six saves, while UNH keeper Kathleen O'Keefe stopped four shots, all in the first half.

UMBC outshot New Hampshire, 19-18, and won the ground ball battle, 16-13. Draw controls were even at 10 apiece.

The Retrievers return to action on Saturday, April 2, when they visit defending America East champion Boston University in a rematch of the 2010 America East title game.

Notes: Today's win was UMBC's first-ever against New Hampshire, as the Wildcats had won all nine previous meetings… Pappas has now scored 17 goals in her last four games after tallying just seven in the first six contests… The Retrievers have won four straight America East Conference openers.