BETHANY, W. Va. -- The Washington & Jefferson College women's lacrosse team opened Presidents' Athletic Conference play with a dominant 19-2 victory over the Bethany College Bison Wednesday afternoon at Bison Stadium.

W&J improves to 4-3 overall and 1-0 in conference play. Bethany now drops to 4-5 overall and 0-1 in conference bouts in 2023. 

Eight Presidents scored in another dominant victory while three Presidents finished with a hat trick. Amanda Effland (Frederick, Md. / Frederick) led the way for the Presidents with six goals on the day followed by four goals by Emily Heck (Reading, Pa. / Berks Catholic) and three from Aisa Uhler (East Lansing, Mich. / East Lansing).

The Presidents posted a dominant first quarter, as they tallied eight goals between five scorers. Effland led the way with two of her six goals being scored in the opening period. Three of the W&J goals were a result of a free position attempts which resulted in a successful shot as Heck found the back of the net twice and Sarah Labovitz (Great Falls, Va. / The Bullis School) scored the remaining opportunity. 

W&J would score four more goals in the second quarter to take a 12-0 lead into halftime. The Presidents remained in control with four more third-quarter goals as they extended the lead to 16-0 entering the fourth and final frame.

Effland, Heck, and Uhler would add two goals to their totals between the middle quarters while newcomer Caleigh Bogats (Oakdale, Pa. / Chartiers Valley) and sophomore Haley Lawyer (Glenside, Pa. / Archbishop Wood) would each tach on one goal apiece in the third. 

The Bison would prevent the shutout with an early goal in the fourth quarter. Anna Kloehn (Canton, Ohio/Jackson), Bolinda and Effland scored in the fourth for W&J. 

Labovitz and Bogats led the Presidents with seven ground balls apiece as they would hold the advantage in ground balls as a unit (44-32). Effland caused two turnovers. 

W&J held decisive advantages in shots (24-6), draw controls (15-9), and free position shots as the Presidents were 6-for-6 while the Bison finished unsuccessful on their only attempt.

The Presidents return to action on Friday, March 31 when they continue conference play at Saint Vincent College. Start time is scheduled for 4 p.m.