PHILADELPHIA-The Saint Joseph's women's lacrosse team secured a 14-2 win in its home opener over the Lafayette Leopards Saturday afternoon on Finnesey Field. Eight different players contributed goals as Julie Mineweaser and Meghan McDevitt both notched hat tricks on the day.

The Hawks opened up an 8-1 half time lead behind goals from McDevitt (three), Mineweaser (two), Jen Peters, Grace Dinn and Helene Tursi. Saint Joseph's (1-1) led 4-1 after 5:27 and went on a 7-0 run after Lafayette (0-2) tied the game at one with 26:05 to go in the first.

After a second half goal opened the proceedings for Lafayette, SJU held the Leopards scoreless the final 28 minutes of the game.

Abby Renninger and Tursi scored back-to-back free position goals to up the score to 10-2 with 20:45 remaining.

Jessica Westlake got in on the act when she received a pass from Jenna Martino for Westlake's first goal of the season. Peters notched another with 15:52 remaining before another Mineweaser goal made it 13-2 with 13:18 left.

Martino registered her first of the game and sixth of the season on an unassisted tally with 7:48 to go, capping the scoring.

Suzy Herlihy was stellar in between the pipes, making five saves and allowing just two goals. She also made four saves on free position shots.

This was the seventh straight victory for the Hawks over the Leopards in as many years.

The Hawks will return to action Wednesday when they travel to Newark, Del. to take on the Blue Hens of Delaware. Game time for that match is set for 4:00 p.m. at Rullo Stadium.

2009-03-04