WHEELING, W.Va. – The Wheeling Jesuit women's lacrosse team limited Urbana University to three goals, and defeated the Blue Knights, 17-3. With the win, WJU improves to 1-0 in Mountain East Conference play.

The Cardinals fired 45 shots in the game, 29 of which were on goal. Paige Waqa, the Blue Knights goalie, recorded 12 saves.

"It's always tough to play back-to-back games," stated WJU head coach Tim Florence. "It's also tough to play a team when a goalie is having a great night, and Waqa was huge for them in the cage. I'm glad to open conference play up with a win, and now we have to quickly get ready for West Virginia Wesleyan on Sunday."

WJU shot its way to an early 6-0 lead before Urbana scored the next two. Jessie Tufnell, who led the Cardinals with six scores on the evening, scored three of the first four goals for WJU. Elizabeth Hales, Kate Calder, and Kori Hickman were responsible for the other three scores.

 WJU rattled off the next 10 scores, and would lead the contest, 16-2. Tufnell would score the Cardinals final goal, and WJU would defeat Urbana, 17-3.

Tufnell finished with six goals, two groundballs, and two caused turnovers. Hales, for the second time this season, finished in double figures in points (10). The Orlando native scored four goals and supplied a season-high six assists. She also secured a team-high five groundballs.  

Mary Burns added two scores and dished out an assist. Taylor Quigg, Olivia Krock, Ally Coggins, Calder and Hickman each scored once for the Cardinals. Coggins grabbed two groundballs while Hickman also handed out three assists.

Paige Plesich finished with two assists on the night, while Mia Gilardi picked up three groundballs. Maire Austin earned her sixth victory of the season in goal, as she finished with four saves.

The Cardinals return to action on Sunday, April 3 when they travel to West Virginia Wesleyan for a 1 p.m. contest.