PHILADELPHIA, PA - Villanova women's lacrosse got off to a fast start and never looked back on Wednesday, as the Wildcats raced past La Salle women's lacrosse 14-3 at McCarthy Stadium. 

Playing through cold and wet conditions, Villanova (2-5) stormed to a 10-1 halftime lead that was too much for the Explorers (2-5)  to overcome. Maddie Dachowski, Erin Welsh, and Emily Johnston had the goals for La Salle, while Olivia Piccirilli led the Wildcats with three goals and four points. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Nova struck twice in the opening 2:09 of play to take an early 2-0 lead, getting goals from Jessie Lee and Sydney Pappas. 
• Welsh answered for La Salle at the 11:53 mark of the first, scoring on a perfect feed from Dachowski to get the Explorers within a goal, 2-1. 
• Villanova's offense erupted to close the first period, scoring the next four goals to give the Wildcats a 6-1 edge through 15 minutes. 
• The Nova run continued in the second, as they scored four more unanswered goals while their defense held the Explorers scoreless to take a commanding 10-1 lead into the break. 
• After Piccirilli opened the third quarter with a goal to make the WIldcat run 9-0, Johnston ended the drought for La Salle with her team-high 15th goal of the season to make the score 11-2 at the 9:18 mark in the third. 
• Nova would score the final two goals of the third, bringing the score to 13-2 entering the fourth. 
• The Explorers rallied to outshoot the Wildcats 9-1 in the final frame, getting a goal from Dachowski on a feed from Johnston for La Salle's third goal of the game. 
• Megan Reilly added a late goal for Villanova, as the Wildcats went on to win by a final of 14-3. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Villanova held a narrow edge in shots, 22-21 while also leading in shots on goal, 17-13. 
• Each side was turnover prone on a wet and rainy day, as Nova coughed it up 24 times while La Salle added 17. 
• Erin Welsh scooped up a season-best six ground balls, while also pulling in two draw controls. 
• Claudia Steinmetz added three ground balls, matching her with Johnston for the second most on the team. 
• Kelli McGroarty made her first collegiate start, stopping three shots in the first half. 
• Villanova's trio of goalkeepers combined to make 10 saves while conceding just three goals. 

UP NEXT:
After playing three games in just seven days, La Salle will enjoy a long break prior to their next game when they travel to Siena on Saturday, March 19 at 1 p.m.