WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Washington & Jefferson pulled away with a seven-goal third quarter to open the 2018 Ohio River Lacrosse Conference campaign with a 16-3 win against Mount St. Joseph.

The Presidents begin ORLC with a victory for a consecutive season, while improving to 2-4 overall. W&J will step back out of league play when it travels to Frederick, Md., for a 5 p.m. game against Hood on Wednesday, March 7.

W&J netted the first 14 goals of the day en route to the victory. Pat Heidecker (Gettysburg, Pa./Gettysburg Area) scored five goals and added an assist, while Ben Ward (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) found the back of the net four times. Patrick Brunner (Ellicott City, Md./Mount Saint Joseph) and Liam Sullivan (Hingham, Mass./Xaverian Brothers) both tallied two goals and three points.

Defensively, Joseph Tritschler (New Kensington, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic) picked up a career high 12 ground balls and matched his career best with five caused turnovers. Michael Aaron Pray III (Gaithersburg, Md./Maret School (D.C.)) snagged seven ground balls and finished 17-of-22 on face-offs. Ward picked up six ground balls, while Heidecker and Dylan Shepherd (Eagle, Idaho/Eagle) each snared five ground balls. Lorenzo Ruscitto was second on the team with four caused turnovers, establishing a new career high.

As a team, the Presidents held a 72-11 lead on shots and 56-22 advantage on ground balls. W&J also was 18-of-19 on clear attempts, while holding the Lions to just 18-of-32.

Noah Cohen (Hewlett, N.Y./George W. Hewlett) made four saves while facing just seven shots on goal to improve to 2-4 this season.