WASHINGTON - No. 5 The Catholic University of America women's lacrosse team dropped its first game of the season with a 13-8 loss to No. 7 Cortland on Wednesday afternoon.

Catholic freshman Holly Regan led the Cardinals with two goals and two assists while seniors Clair Schmitzer and Ana Brandenburg each registered two goals. Schmitzer picked up five groundballs and caused three turnovers while fellow senior Allie Bond won five draw controls.

Schmitzer got the Cards off to an early start with a goal in the opening two minutes, assisted by classmate Alexis Bosilovic. Cortland answered with four in a row. With under two minutes remaining in the half, Regan recorded her first unassisted goal of the day to put the Cardinals back on the map.

With a shot in the opening minute of the second half, Regan tallied her second unassisted goal of the game. Less than a minute later, Schmitzer put another shot between the pipes to bring the Cardinals within one of the Red Dragons (5-4).

Cortland's offense followed with six unanswered. Catholic rallied with goals junior Nicolette Crisalli and senior Laura Dunn along with two from Brandenburg. The Cardinals rally came too late as the clock expired and the Red Dragons snuck two additional goals into the cage to secure the midweek victory.

The No. 5 Cardinals, now 3-1, continue their season taking on No. 8 Washington & Lee at home on Saturday, March 18, at 1 p.m.

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