WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Ohio Wesleyan University netted the final two goals to hold off the Washington & Jefferson College women's lacrosse team for a 12-9 victory Saturday afternoon in a non-conference game at Alexandre Stadium. 

The victory improves the Battling Bishops to 5-0 on the season. The Presidents fall to 0-4 in 2024.

W&J put together another strong effort against an unbeaten foe. The Presidents' four opponents thus far in 2024 have put together a combined 17-2 record. 

The Presidents remained competitive throughout the game due to the strong performance of Kaitlyn Brown (Charlotte Hall, Md./La Plata). The senior goalkeeper recorded a season-high 14 saves, which included seven stops in the third quarter. 

The teams traded goals to open the scoring. Following a score by OWU, freshman Ella Holland (Healdsburg, Calif./Cardinal Newman) responded less than a minute later with a goal off an assist from senior Sofia Jenkins (Hughesville, Md./The Calverton School). OWU countered with three-straight goals. Jenkins answered late in the third quarter, utilizing an assist by sophomore attacker Anna Kloehn (Canton, Ohio/Jackson). The Jenkins scored made the score 4-2 OWU after one quarter. 

OWU extended its lead to 6-3 by halftime with a pair of scores during a lower scoring second quarter. Jenkins scored unassisted for the lone tally of the quarter by W&J. 

A fast start coupled with Brown's strong play helped W&J string together three-straight goals to open the third. Sophomore midfielder Caleigh Bogats (Oakdale, Pa./Chartiers Valley) scored off an assist from senior Emily Heck (Reading, Pa./Berks Catholic) less than three minutes into the third. Senior attacker Aisa Uhler (East Lansing, Mich./East Lansing) and Heck followed with unassisted scores. Heck's goal drew the score even at 6-6 at the 8:18 mark. OWU regained the lead on a free position score at the 5:06 mark. Neither team scored for the remainder of the quarter and OWU carried a 7-6 lead into the fourth. 

OWU stretched its lead to 10-7 with 6:21 remaining in the game. Scores by Jenkins and Holland just seconds apart brought the Presidents within a single goal, 10-9, with 3:44 remaining. That forced a timeout by OWU. W&J secured possession with a draw win by Bogats. However, a shot wide and a crease violation gave the ball back to OWU. They scored an insurance goal just 44 seconds later to strengthen their lead to 11-9. A free position shot with three seconds left finished of the victory for the Battling Bishops. 

Jenkins paced the offense with a five-point effort. Jenkins finished with three goals and two assists in the loss. Jenkins has recorded hat tricks in three of the four games this season. 

Holland continued her strong play. The first-year President recorded her first collegiate hat trick while adding four draw controls and three ground balls. 

Freshman defender Sammy Hartz (Ijamsville, Md./Oakdale) finished with a team-high four ground balls and matched the team high with three caused turnovers. Sophomore midfielder Mya Bolinda (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) chipped in three ground balls and three caused turnovers. 

OWU out-shot W&J by a 30-19 margin, including a 26-13 advantage in shots on goal. W&J had a slight advantage in draw controls (13-11) while OWU had a 26-22 edge in ground balls. 

After a week-long hiatus from game action, W&J travels to Sparks, Md. to face Dickinson College on Monday, March 18. Start time is scheduled for 5 p.m.