BEL AIR, Md. - The Harford women's lacrosse team built a multiple-goal second-half lead but needed a late tally from Cassidy Jones to defeat Jefferson in the final seconds of both teams' season openers. Jones first collegiate goal came with 13.6 seconds remaining in the game to give the Fighting Owls a 12-11 victory.

Harford owned an 11-8 advantage with 19 minutes remaining in the contest, but the Cannoneers battled back to tie it with three-straight goals in a five minutes span. The game-tying goal came from Lexi Smith with 2:35 left, setting up the final tense moments.

Lauren Haggerty, who went 20-for-22 on draw controls, nabbed her final one of the afternoon, but Harford turned the ball over with a minute left, and Jefferson called timeout to set up the final play. Allie Storke made her 17th save of the game and Harford corralled the ground ball to set up their final shot.

Megan Aro successfully cleared the ball into the offensive zone and got it to Jones. The freshman midfielder who had set up four goals prior to the final fray, weaved her way through the defense and dove to her left to fire the shot past the Jefferson 'keeper for the game winner.

Haggerty and Danielle Hurley both finished with four goals in the win. Haggerty added a game-high 17 ground balls to go along with her 20 draw controls. Harford won 22 of 24 draw controls overall. Aro added a pair and Maggie Hopkins scored a goal and added an assist for Harford.

The Fighting Owls open MD JUCO play on Wednesday at Southern Maryland.