WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Catholic University men's lacrosse team defeated the University of Mary Washington on Wednesday night, 20-10, in its home debut.

The Cardinals (2-0) won their eighth-straight game on Carlini Field, dating back to Feb. 26, 2020. Catholic, who is receiving votes in the national poll, used a well balance offense that saw 11 different players record at least one point.

Both teams traded shots to begin the game before Catholic rattled off five goals by four different scorers in less than five minutes. Graduate student Kevin Crowley and senior Sean Baudo both got their seaon-high four-goal nights started during the run.

Catholic scored their sixth goal of the first quarter on a man-up opportunity. The Cardinals went a perfect 5-for-5 on man-up oppotunities on the night. 

The Cardinals' defense held the Eagles (0-2) scoreless in the second quarter, allowing only four shots. Senior Nic Pezone made one of his nine saves in the quarter as Catholic held a 10-3 advantage at the halftime break.

Catholic outscored the Eagles 10-7 in the second half, as junior Max Schwarz got the scoring started less than a minute in after scooping up a rebound and putting away the goal on a behind-the-back shot.

Crowley and seniors Joey Rockovich and Luke D'Ambrogi all registered three assists on the night. Colin McDonnell relieved Pezone in the last 10 minutes of the game, making four saves in his first appearance of the season. 

Senior Mike McShea was stellar at the face-off, winning 21-of-26 and recording 16 groundballs. Junior Connor Pierce also recorded a hat-trick for the Cardinals with all of his goals coming in the second half. 

The Cardinals are back on the road this weekend, when they travel to Roanoke College on Saturday for a 2 p.m. start.