Despite the chilly weather, the men and women’s lacrosse teams have kicked off their respective seasons over the last few weeks. And while the results haven’t been spectacular thus far for either squad, both teams showed signs of promise with home-opening victories.

The men started their season with four losses on the road, which included narrow 9-8 defeats at the hands of both the University of New England and Roger Williams. However, they returned home to Mirrione ’99 Stadium, where they haven’t lost since April 16th, 2011. The Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors stood in their way of keeping their six-game home winning streak alive.

The Lyons maintained their winning ways with the support of the home crowd, and continued their flare for the dramatics with a 12-11 victory. The game was tight throughout, but the Lyons looked prepared to break through when they broke a 4-4 tie in the third quarter with four straight goals, scored by Kyle Rumberger ’16, Billy McNamara ’13, Sean Doherty ’13, and Matthew Hillman ’15.

However, the Warriors refused to go quietly, bringing themselves back with two goals by the end of the quarter and dramatically tying the game up 9-9 just over two minutes into the fourth. The Lyons answered when Will Compton ’13 gave them the lead, and Hillman’s game-high fifth goal ended up being the game-winner as they held off Eastern Connecticut State in a thriller.

And while the men celebrated their first win of the season, the women were looking to get back up to .500 after a pair of wins to start their season was belittled by three straight losses. A very different day for these Lyons at Keefe Field; their game with MIT was a tale of two halves.

The Lyons had no trouble reaching the back of the net early and often as the first half progressed. Around single scores by MIT, Wheaton had a 4-0 scoring streak to open the game in the first nine minutes, as well two 3-0 runs in the middle and end of the half.

Despite a 10-2 lead at the half, the Lyons were slaughtered in the second, during which they were outscored 9-3, barely holding on to the 13-11 victory. Melanie Sharick ’15 scored three goals to lead the Lyons, while goalkeeper Katy Ananian ’15 converted seven saves.

The two teams are just beginning their respective seasons, which will carry through April. The women look forward to a deep run in the NEWMAC, while the men have the Pilgrim League Tournament at the start of May.