Senior middie Mike Widmann registered a game-high five points on a goal and four assists to lead host Claremont to an 11-8 victory over UNLV in both teams’ MCLA Division I season opener Saturday afternoon.

Sophomore middie Zach Ingrasci and sophomore middie Jamil Karriem each added four points to help the Cougars (1-0, 1-0 Southwest Lacrosse Conference) pick up a conference win. Ingrasci scored three goals and added an assist, and Karriem had a goal and three assists.

Freshman attackman Ziken Douzjan scored three goals, senior middie Brock Olson had a pair and senior attackman Max Menke added a goal to round out the scoring for Claremont.

Defensively, sophomore goalie Sam Bennett saved 15 shots.

“I thought, for the most part, we played pretty well,” Claremont head coach Pete Ginnegar said. “Our big question mark going into the season was offensive production, so I’m pleased we put up 11 goals."

In defeat, freshman attackman Cody Root scored a team-high three goals, sophomore middie Steven Herman added a pair and sophomore attackman Kyle Morse and junior middie Turner Krueger each finished with a goal and an assist for UNLV (0-1, 0-1). Junior attackman Nick Campo scored once for the Runnin' Rebels, who couldn't overcome being man-down 14 times.

"I think it was a good game," said UNLV assistant coach Darren Gagnon, who coached in place of head coach Gary Campo on Saturday. "We gave a good effort and played a valiant game."

Claremont led 2-1 at the end of the first quarter, 5-3 at halftime and 9-5 going into the fourth quarter. The Cougars extended their lead to 11-5 in the fourth before UNLV scored the game’s final three goals to make the final margin closer.

“UNLV is a much-improved team from last year," Ginnegar added. "They’ve got a lot of firepower. I think they’re going to give some teams fits this year.”