LOWELL, Mass. - Junior Gina Smith scored 21 minutes into the game but Maine rattled off five unanswered goals to win the season opener for both teams by a 5-1 score. The neutral site game was contested at UMass Lowell.

Smith gathered a rebound off a shot from sophomore Kendall Kreider and snuck it past the keeper to give the Explorers a 1-0 lead midway through the first half.

Unfortunately for the Blue and Gold, it was all Maine after that. Casey Crowley tied the game for the Bears two minutes after Smith's goal and a Marissa Shaw tally made it 2-1 heading into intermission.

Maine (1-0) scored three goals in the second half, including two in the final four minutes to make the final 5-1.

La Salle goalkeeper Rachel Hartman had eight saves in the defeat. Maine held a 20-8 advantage in shots and a 11-3 lead in corners.

The Explorers (0-1) are back on the field on Sunday when they make the short trip to Villanova. Game time is noon. Live stats and streaming video will be available.