WASHINGTON - The reigning Landmark Champions, The Catholic University of America women's lacrosse team, opened league play with a 20-6 victory over Elizabethtown on Saturday afternoon.

The Cardinals outshot the Blue Jays, 36-24, in the conference opener and saw 12 different goal scorers. Sophomore Nicolette Crisalli led the Catholic scoring with four goals and two assists, while junior Elizabeth McCooey scored her first career hat trick and added three additional assists.

Sophomore Jenna Gobel won the opening draw and Crisalli found the back of the cage 24 seconds later off a pass from junior Clair Schmitzer. The Cardinals notched two more before the five-minute mark when junior Alexis Bosilovic and freshman Megan Ellis each capitalized on free position opportunities. 

The Blue Jays looked to contend with the conference titleholders, scoring back-to-back goals from junior Addie Stang. The close contest would not hold as Catholic took a ten-goal lead (12-2) with just over three minutes to play in the half.

The Jays notched one more before the Cardinals put two between the pipes, brining the halftime score to 14-3 in favor of Catholic.

McCooey started off the Cardinals scoring in the first minute of the second half and followed with an assist to fellow junior Anna Stumme to increase the Cardinal lead to 13 goals. In an eleven-minute span, the Landmark opponents each scored three more bringing the score to 19-6. 

With 22 seconds remaining on the game clock freshman Alex Ryan fired a shot between the pipes for her first collegiate goal, bringing the Cardinals final tally to 20. 

Additional scorers for the Cards included juniors Schmitzer (1), Ana Brandenburg (1), Laura Dunn (1), Jenna Van Middelem (2), Emily Merkel (1), Alexis Bosilovic (2), and freshman Jessica Lyons.

Three goalies spent time between the posts. Freshman Christina De Cesaris made four saves, while senior Brittnee Frizol and freshman Gabby Cooper each made two. Schmitzer caused four turnovers while Ellis scooped up four ground balls.

The Cardinals continue their 2016 campaign at Franklin & Marshall on Wednesday, March 30, at 4 p.m.