SPARKS, Md. — Two top-20 teams did battle at USA Lacrosse on Saturday afternoon, with No. 9 William Smith getting the best of No. 18 Catholic, 14-9.

Catholic made the first breakthrough less than four minutes into the contest as Grace Hill received a pass from Caroline Beckett to push the Cardinals ahead. But the Heron responded well, netting three goals before Catholic could score again and ultimately winning the first quarter, 6-3.

Both defenses tighten the screws in the second stanza. The Cardinals held William Smith to just three second-quarter goals but could only muster one for themselves as Kate Olsen finished off of an assist from Beckett.

Again defense was the story of the third quarter as the Heron held Catholic scoreless for over 15 minutes before Mattea Del Peschio cut the lead to 11-5 late in the stanza.

Catholic pushed hard in the fourth quarter. After conceding the first two goals of the final period, Meghan McDonogh's team strung together a late    4-0 run to put the Heron under pressure. Anna Corona sparked the run, finishing a free-position attempt that was set up by an important Lindsay Sawyer ground ball.

Olsen scored two goals in a minute-and-a-half to complete her hat trick, converting assists from Beckett and Caroline Regan. Jessie Lee pushed the Cardinals within four with just under two minutes left but ultimately the comeback effort fell short. Catholic outshot the Heron 9-7 in the final 15 minutes.

In addition to her goal, Lee won a team-high five draw controls while the freshman Sawyer found the net in the first half for her first career collegiate goal 

Lauren Bendo played well on the defensive end as did Rachel Rubenstein. Bendo came off the bench to scoop up two ground balls and cause one turnover while Rubenstein, Catholic's leader in ground balls last season, also scooped two and caused one turnover while winning two draw controls.

For the Heron, Kaitlin Pellechia led the way with four goals and goalkeeper Maura Smeader made 11 saves.

The Cardinals will now turn their attention to their home opener. They will match up with Randolph-Macon on Wednesday, March 1 with opening draw control set for 5 p.m.