WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson College women's lacrosse team rolled to a 19-5 victory over the visiting Wilson Phoenix in the team's home opener at Alexandre Stadium.
 
The Presidents picked up their first victory of the season against Wilson to move to 1-1 on the season.
 
Mya Bolinda (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) led the Presidents in all facets scoring a double hat trick with a career-high six goals, winning six draw controls, grabbing two ground balls and dished one assist. Avery Byard (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) dropped four goals, won five draw controls and caused one turnover. Caleigh Bogats (Oakdale, Pa./Chartiers Valley) and Brynne Stewart (Painesville, Ohio/Andrews Osborne Academy) also logged hat tricks on the night with three goals each and two assists. Stewart also topped her career-high in goals this eveneing with three on the night.
 
Bogats led the team defensively with a team-high three caused turnovers and four ground balls. Ella Holland (Healdsburg, Calif./Cardinal Newman) and Ella Phillips (Arnold, Md./Broadneck) each caused two turnovers in the outing additionally.
 
The Phoenix got on the board first at the 11:26 mark prior to the Presidents' first goal scored by Bolinda on a free position shot, 1-1. Wilson answered with a free position goal of their own to take a brief lead. Over a minute later in the first, W&J kicked off a 3-0 scoring run to close out the opening period. Bolinda bookended the scoring spurt to complete her first hat trick while Stewart netted a goal off the pass from Byard to go up 4-2.
 
The W&J offense exploded in the second quarter, scoring eight goals to push the lead to double digits. Byard scored three times in the second to complete her first half hat trick while Stewart netted two goals in the run to complete her hat trick. Holland, Bogats and Bolinda also tacked on individual scores for W&J as they took a 12-2 lead into the half.
 
W&J hit the ground running in the second half, scoring three goals from Shelby Blanford (Odenton, Md./Arundel), Bogats and Bolinda. The Phoenix halted the scoring run with a goal at the 3:57 mark before Bolinda logged her sixth goal of the contest on a man up opportunity before the close of the third quarter, 16-3.
 
W&J scored three goals in the final quarter of play to Wilson's two scores, closing out a 19-5 victory over the Phoenix.
 
The Presidents held differentials in total shot (33-17), ground balls (17-14), draw controls (17-11) and caused turnovers (10-4).
 
Dual-sport athlete Grace Erhard (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) got the start in goal for W&J, picking up her first collegiate victory on the women's lacrosse team and saving one shot. Megan Brackney (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) played the second third minutes of action, picking up two saves.
 
W&J women's lacrosse returners to action this Saturday (March 8) on the road against Ohio Wesleyan. Opening draw is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.