Using a balanced attack from players young and new, the women's lacrosse team opened its season in defense of its national title with a comfortable 11-3 win over Richmond on yesterday afternoon.

Co-captain Diane Whipple was the leading scorer with five goals; she also assisted on two others. In goal, first-time starter Kay Young also put in an impressive performance to solidify the win.

"Kay did very well," Coach Julie Williams said. "She super-pumped the whole team. Everyone else caught up to her."

Young finished the game with seven saves, four in the first half and three in the second.

On the offensive end, adding to the total output were Mary Beth McNicholas and Lauri Fitzgerald, each with two goals. Karen Hoysted and Karen Brown scored once for the Lady Lions and Deanna Blood and Megan Smith notched one assist each.

With only four starters on the field from last season's 19-1 national championship team, Williams had to experiment with the more inexperienced players. They came through.

Even with the score similar to last season's 15-1 thrashing, Williams said it took the team a while to get moving.

"We had a slow start and a rushed warm-up," she said. "But we knew when to fast break, when to set the offense and work it."

Apart from Young, Williams also cited the defensive play of co-captain Tracy Mass, Elena Brazer and Hoysted. Before the game, Williams had said it should be a closer game because the Lady Spiders had everyone returning except for one player. That was not the case.

On Saturday, the Lady Lions competed in the William and Mary Invitational, a series of preseason games against other teams. The team went 3-2, claiming victories over Towson State (5-2), Penn (6-0) and Yale (5-1). The team lost to the United States Squad (3-1) and to Virginia's club team (3-2).

The games are mainly used for coaches to look at other teams, as well as their own. None of the games count toward the overall season record.

"The defense played very well, but the team's consistency was not good. We need to iron out the kinks," Williams said.