WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Catholic University women's soccer team made it two wins from two to begin the 2023 season on Sunday afternoon, downing Alvernia 4-1 on Carlini Field.

It was a comprehensive performance for head coach Casey Sommers' side as two-time all-Landmark Conference selection Jordan Siok netted a brace. Sophomore forward Peyton Coron also found the net for her third goal in just two games to start the season.

Catholic dominated the opening minutes of the match, stringing together long stints of possession and not allowing Alvernia any joy going forward. The Golden Wolves did not have a meaningful touch in the Cardinal defensive half before Coron made the breakthrough in the 14th minute.

Catholic recovered possession in the defensive third and countered quickly. Payton Hardy, playing a holding midfield role, found Sara Placide in space, who turned and slotted Coron in with a perfectly-weighted through ball. Coron showed great strength and composure as she used her body well to ward off the defender before cutting in and finishing calmly with her right foot.

The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead into the break but it didn't take long for Sommers' side to increase its advantage in the second stanza. Just four minutes into the second half, Siok intercepted a square ball across the Wolves backline to race in and finish easily past Brynn Bock.

Next it was Hardy who would get in on the act. Lauren Cerda whipped in a corner from the left side and Hardy met it firmly to power the header past a helpless goalkeeper.

Siok got her second not long after, employing a brilliant finish. After great work from Emily Harkins on the right flank, it looked as though Siok's first touch had gotten away from her. As two defenders converged on her inside the penalty area, she lunged forward, toe-poking the ball into the far corner to complete a brilliant piece of improvisation. Just 84 seconds separated Catholic's third and fourth goals.

The Golden Wolves pulled one back after Maeve Graham made a great save to thwart Haley Dougherty but Macy McDonough was quickest to react to the rebound, squeezing it in past two defenders and the sprawling goalkeeper at the far post. 

Catholic was dominant in all facets of the game, outshooting Alvernia 21-5 and putting 11 efforts on target. The Cardinals also earned 13 corners in the match.

The match was won in the midfield, where the Cardinals were first to virtually every ball. Hardy was brilliant, winning almost every ball, and Isabel Doherty provided noticeable energy and quality off the bench. The holding midfielders' play allowed Palcide, Katarina Bauer, Emily Longenderfer and others time and space to create in their more advanced midfield roles. 

Victoria Pou Varona showed that she's a threat going forward in 24 second-half minutes. She fired four shots toward the Wolves goal, putting one on target.

Catholic will try to begin the season with three-straight wins for the first time since 2019 when the team travels to Bridgewater (Va.) on Wednesday. Kickoff in the midweek affair is slated for 4 p.m.