WHEELING, W.Va. (Feb. 16) – The Wheeling Jesuit University women's lacrosse team was defeated 18-6 by Roberts Wesleyan in the season-opener for both squads on a chilly Saturday morning at Bishop Schmitt Field.

The Cardinals drop to 0-1 overall, while the Redhawks improve to 1-0 this season.

Sophomore midfielder Paige Orbell (Severn, Md./Old Mill) scored two goals from two free position shots to lead Wheeling Jesuit in scoring. She also recovered a game-high six ground balls. Senior midfielder Taylor Booth (Port Moody, British Columbia/Heritage Woods) registered two points of her own by coming up with a goal and an assist.

Roberts Wesleyan opened the scoring with four consecutive goals in the first eight minutes of the match. Orbell and sophomore midfielder Bethany Wallingford (Chillicothe, Ohio/Chillicothe) each scored an unassisted goal in the next two minutes, with a Wesleyan goal in between, to bring the game to 5-2 in favor of the Redhawks.

The contest slipped away from the Cardinals in the remaining 20 minutes of the first half. Roberts Wesleyan went into halftime with a 12-4 lead.

Wheeling Jesuit retained more possession in the second half and only allowed six goals, while scoring two additional goals of their own.

The Cardinals were accurate with their shots, posting 11 shots on goal out of their 14 total shots taken. The Redhawks found themselves in their opponent's half much more often, however, shooting 37 times by the conclusion of the match.

Roberts Wesleyan had five players with multi-goal performances.

Wheeling Jesuit will face Findlay on Sunday, February 24 in another non-conference matchup at Bishop Schmitt Field. The contest is scheduled to start at 12 p.m.