DUE WEST, S.C. --- Rachel Holmes and Savannah Elliott each scored four goals as the Tusculum College women's lacrosse team opened the 2017 season with a 17-6 win at Erskine College on Saturday afternoon.

Sierra Haas had three goals and an assist, Erin Sims had two goals and two assists and the Pioneers (1-0) received a goal and two assists apiece from Madison Malone and Emily Gleason in the win over the Flying Fleet (0-1).

Elliott scored the first two goals of the match for the Pioneers, then Haas and Holmes each scored twice during a 6-0 run that gave the Pioneers an 8-1 lead with 5:46 left in the first half. Tusculum led 8-3 at halftime, then pulled away in the second half by scoring eight of the final nine goals after Erskine had cut the margin to 9-5 with 25:54 left.

Calyn Kelly also scored a pair of goals for the Pioneers, while Malone led the team with three ground balls. Sims led the Pioneers with four draw controls, while Holmes had three draw controls, four caused turnovers and two ground balls.

Aleena McCoy led the Flying Fleet with two goals and an assist, while Breanna Seawell had a pair of goals. Erskine was outshot 34-16 by Tusculum and committed 22 turnovers to nine by the Pioneers.

Kaitlin Winnie started in goal for the Pioneers and had one save before giving way to Kaele Lawless for the middle section of the match. Brooke Wagner played most of the second half in goal for Tusculum and finished with five saves.

Tusculum will play its home opener on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. against Converse at Pioneer Field.