MIDDLETOWN, CT- The Wheaton College women's lacrosse team stood tied at two with Wesleyan University with fewer than 14 minutes remaining in the opening half on Sunday before the host Cardinals pulled ahead for good with a 6-0 run on their way to an 18-7 victory at Smith Field. The Lyons slipped to 4-2, while Wesleyan is now 4-4.

Senior Caitlin Grant (Walpole, MA/Walpole) scored the first of her five goals at the 23:43 mark of the opening half for the initial tally by either team, but Cardinal junior Erin McCarthy (Ridgefield, CT/Ridgefield) scored twice in a 26-second span to make it 2-1 by 19:13. Senior Bridget Thornton (Southington, CT/Cheshire Academy) knotted the game at the 15:32 mark, but the hosts netted six markers during an 8:14 span to take an 8-2 advantage.

From there, Grant, who broke the scoreless drought with 4:46 to go in the half, and Wesleyan junior Charlotte Hastings (Taftsville, VT/Kimball Union Academy) combined for six straight markers, with each turning in three. The hosts grabbed their first 10-goal advantage with 11:19 remaining and never again led by fewer than nine.

Grant recorded her third five-goal game of the year, netting her markers on just seven shots. Thornton added two goals and an assist, while junior Chrissy Norberg (Winchester, MA/Northfield Mount Hermon School) turned in a pair of helpers. Sophomore Marianna Marcellino (Milton, MA/Thayer Academy) had 10 stops, including eight in the first half.

Hastings, McCarthy, senior Sarah Orkin (West Hartford, CT/Hall) and sophomore Maggie Lile (Wynnewood, PA/Friends' Central School) each tallied three goals for the Cardinals, while a trio of goalkeepers combined on five saves.

The Lyons resume their home slate on Wednesday by squaring off with Framingham State College at 4:30 p.m.