Akron, Ohio – Senior attacker Emma Raines opened the 2026 season with a hat trick, but Duquesne dropped its season opener at Akron, 17-6, inside the Louis and Freda Stile Athletics Field House.

Raines scored three goals on four shots and added two draw controls to lead the Dukes. The Elverson, Pa., native now has eight goals in three career season openers, recording hat tricks in back-to-back lid lifters.

Gracin Emerson dished out a game-high four assists, marking her second straight season opener with four or more helpers.

Sophomore Megan Marco tied a career high with two goals on two shots, while team captain Chelsea Evans added a goal to go with team highs of three ground balls, three draw controls, and a caused turnover. Freshman Madison Welch collected three draw controls in her collegiate debut.

Welch was one of five Dukes to see action in their first career game, joined by freshmen Sydney Girardi, Ryan Cooke, Morgan Kaiser and Ella Roach. Roach earned the opening-day start in goal and finished with seven saves.

Akron built a 5-1 lead after the first quarter and carried an 11-1 advantage into halftime. The Zips pushed the margin to 13-1 in the third before Duquesne responded with a 4-1 run spanning the third and fourth quarters. Evans' strike capped the scoring in the final period.

UP NEXT
Duquesne opens its home slate at Rooney Field on Saturday, Feb. 14, hosting Mount St. Mary's at 1 p.m. Admission to all home lacrosse games is free.

FOLLOW THE DUKES
Follow Duquesne Lacrosse all season online at GoDuquesne.com, as well as on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook (@DuqLax).