WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Catholic University field hockey team won its sixth game on the bounce on Saturday afternoon, downing Wilkes behind a monster display from Mary Parker.

Parker contributed to five of Catholic's six goals to power the Cardinals to an emphatic conference victory. After scoring two goals in the opening six minutes of the game, the senior completed her first career hat trick in the third quarter before capping off the performance with another tally in the fourth period.

Carly Bateman was a livewire on the day, providing assists on each of Parker's first two goals.

It took Catholic less than three minutes to find the back of the net as Bateman found Parker who finished low into the far corner. Less than three minutes later, Parker doubled the Cardinal advantage after brilliant quick passing between Bateman and Kellie Caputo set up the chance.

Rachel Palumbo's team fully dominated the first quarter but Wilkes were the better side in the second stanza. Aided by three cards assessed to Catholic players, the Colonels were able to halve the deficit midway through the second quarter through Olivia Gayoski.

After carrying a 2-1 advantage to halftime, Catholic jumped on Wilkes after the interval, playing virtually the whole of the third quarter in the attacking end.

Niki Micciche restored the two-goal advantage five minutes into the second half with a brilliant finish. After receiving a pass from Parker with her back to goal, the junior was closed down by Colonel goalkeeper Carly Eidle. The two players collided but as Micciche fell to the ground she scooped the ball into the roof of the net.

Parker's third goal came directly from a penalty corner. Freshman Lauren Keast found Parker on the near side of the arc who fired a howitzer of a shot past Eidle at the far post.

Early in the fourth quarter, more good work from Bateman set up Micciche who thought she had her second of the day. The junior shoveled it past Eidle but before it could roll in, senior Lauren D'Emilio applied a touch to get in on the act.

Parker's final goal was almost a carbon copy of her third, again coming direct from a Keast penalty corner. However, this time the senior unleashed her shot aimed for the near post, again beating the goalkeeper with pace.

With her goal and assist, Micciche leads the Cardinals with nine tallies on the campaign. This marks the fourth time in her career that she has scored and assisted in the same game.

The Cardinals honored their eight seniors and one graduate student before opening touch as this matchup marked the program's annual Senior Day.

With the victory, Catholic moves to 11-4 on the season and 7-1 in Landmark Conference play ahead of its regular season finale against Susquehanna on Wednesday.

It's all to play for in that matchup as the two teams will be fighting for the top spot in the Landmark Conference Tournament and a first-round bye in the postseason. With Susquehanna's defeating of Scranton today, the River Hawks remain perfect in conference play while Scranton sits at 7-1. 

If Catholic are able to defeat Susquehanna on Wednesday, depending on the Royals' result, the three teams would finish in a three-way tie for the top spot in the conference. Multiple levels of tie-breaking procedure would be used to determine the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 seeds ahead of the tournament. Opening touch in that all-important tilt is set for 6 p.m.