MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (Sunday, March 29, 2009) -- Senior Sarah Orkin scored a natural hat trick in a span of 4:21 during the first half to trigger a 6-0 Wesleyan run as the Cardinals improved to 4-4 on the season with an 18-7 victory over Wheaton (4-2). In mounting the six-goal burst that helped turn a 2-2 game 15 minutes into the contest into a 9-3 Wesleyan lead at halftime, the Cardinals also got two goals from sophomore Allie Lynch during the burst.

Wheaton never got closer than the halftime differential in the second period despite five goals in the contest from leading scorer senior Caitlin Grant, who upped her season total to 20 goals along with two assists. Senior Bridget Thornton had the other two Lyon goals along with an assist to bring her seasonal scoring to 7-10-17.

Wesleyan took its first double-digit advantage (16-6) with 11:19 to go on sophomore Jess Chukwu's tally. A goal by freshman Eileen Gaffney in the final minute allowed Wesleyan to match last year's decision over Wheaton exactly at 18-7. Wesleyan is now 12-2 all-time vs. Wheaton since the teams first met in 1984 with Wheaton winning 25-8. The Lyons also won in 1985, 14-7, but the Cardinals have captured each of the 12 games since.

Wesleyan had four players register a hat trick. In addition to Orkin, who also had an assist for a four-point day, juniors Charlotte Hastings and Erin McCarthy as well as sophomore Maggie Lile all had three goals on the afternoon. Lynch finished with a pair of goals and two assists, giving her four points. McCarthy and Hastings are tied for the team lead in points for Wesleyan this season with 18 apiece.

Sophomore goalie Marianna Marcellino posted 10 stops while manning the Wheaton net. Wesleyan used three goalies in the game and they combined for five saves.

Wesleyan will visit NESCAC rival Trinity Wed., April 1 for its next game while Wheaton hosts Framingham St. the same day.

2009-03-29