TOWSON, Md. - Three recent graduates of the Towson University women's lacrosse team, Kaitlyn Montalbano, Tianna Wallpher and Emily Gillingham, made their professional debuts on Saturday in the newly-launched Women's Professional Lacrosse League (WPLL).

Montalbano and Wallpher, debuted for the Baltimore Brave under head coach Sonia LaMonica, opened the season against Gillingham and the Philadelphia Fire at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium prior to the Major League Lacrosse (MLL) game between the Chesapeake Bayhawks and the Ohio Machine.

Montalbano had one assist as the Brave overcame a 5-4 second-quarter deficit en route to a 20-12 victory. Montalbano's assist came on a goal by Towson volunteer coach Brooke Griffin with 9:00 remaining in the second quarter to tie the game at 5-5 and sparking a 9-0 run by the Brave as they built a 13-5 lead.

Gillingham's first professional point came with 5:09 left in the first quarter to give the Fire a 3-2 lead.

Griffin finished with four points on three goals and one assist.

A total of six former Tigers appeared in Saturday's game in Annapolis as Samantha Brookhart, Kelsea Donnelly and Kelly McQuilkin also appeared for the Brave. Brookhart scored one goal while McQuilkin had two ground balls. Donnelly earned the start in goal and made 15 saves.

Two other former Tigers, Michaela Duranti and Hillary Fratzke begin play in the United Women's Lacrosse League (UWLX), on June 15. Duranti plays for the Baltimore Ride while Fratzke is an assistant coach for the Long Island Sound after spending the last two seasons as a player.