BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University bounced back with a convincing 14-5 win over Hope College Saturday afternoon, Feb. 29, at Tucci Stadium. Freshman Rebecca Rymarcsuk (Lake Zurich, Ill.-Lake Zurich Senior) made four saves as the Titans picked up their first win of the season.

Sophomores Bridget O'Malley (Chicago, Ill.-Marist) and Landry Elliott (Milwaukee, Wis.-Nicolet) fueled the Titans with four goals apiece. Junior Riley Rooney (St. Charles, Ill.-St. Charles East) added two goals, and four others found the back of the net in the win.

Rymarcsuk and senior Janaye Godfrey (Hillsboro, Ill.-Lincoln) split time in goal, with Godfrey getting the win. Freshman Sarah Gleason (Park Ridge, Ill.-Main South) recorded a team-best four ground balls and O'Malley led IWU with three caused turnovers.

IWU came out strong, getting out to a 5-0 lead before Hope got on the board with 2:08 to go in the half. O'Malley pushed the Titan lead back to five with 45.8 seconds to go to give Illinois Wesleyan a 6-1 edge at the break.

In the second half the Titans showed no sign of letting up, as Elliott connected with Gleason for a goal to put IWU up 14-2 with eight minutes to go. 

Hope found the back of the net a few times in the final minutes, but Illinois Wesleyan came out with a convincing 14-5 win.

The Titans hit the road for a midweek non-conference tilt at Monmouth College Wednesday, March 4, at 7 p.m.