SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The Illinois Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team used a strong first half to defeat Hamline University 9-6 at Klas Field on Saturday, March 20. The Titans advance to 5-1 on the season, while the Pipers fall to 2-3. 
 
Junior Landry Elliott (Milwaukee, Wis.-Nicolet) led the game with four goals and also added an assist and a team-high four ground balls. Fellow junior Bridget O'Malley (Chicago, Ill.-Marist) added two goals, both coming in the first half. O'Malley also had an assist and three draw controls. Senior Maggie Torres (Chicago, Ill.-Resurrection Prep College) had two goals and fellow senior Riley Rooney (St. Charles, Ill.-St. Charles) rounded out the scoring with one goal. Cassandra Jones (Elk Grove Village, Ill.-Conant) led the game with four draw controls. 
 
Defensively, goalkeepers Janaye Godfrey (Portland, Ore.-Lincoln) and Rebecca Rymarcsuk (Hoffman Estates, Ill.-James B. Conant) tallied six and five saves, respectively. 
 
The Titans dominated the first half, scoring the first six goals of the game. The Pipers were down 6-0 before scoring their first goal with 9:20 remaining in the first half. IWU went into the break with a commanding 6-1 lead. 
 
The Titan offense picked up where it left off with a quick Elliot goal to begin the second half. 

The Pipers answered to make the score 7-2 with 24:53 remaining. 
 
Following a yellow card on the Pipers, Torres recorded a man-up goal, assisted by Sarah Gleason (Park Ridge, Ill.-Maine South). The Torres goal was quickly followed by another Elliot goal to make the score 9-2 with 15:39 remaining. 
 
To end the game, Hamline rattled off four unanswered goals in the final 7:43, but the Pipers comeback ultimately would fall short. 
 
The Titans are back in action Sunday, March 21 in Minneapolis, Minn. for a matchup with Augsburg University. Game time is set for 11 a.m.