CARLISLE, Pa. — The Catholic University women's lacrosse team secured its first win of the season on Saturday afternoon with a strong performance on the road, downing Dickinson, 15-10.

It was a welcomed return for star defender Rachel Rubenstein who featured in her first game of the 2024 season. The two-time all-region selection, 2023 US Lacrosse All-America honorable mention and defending conference defensive player of the year picked up right where she left off last season, grabbing a staggering seven ground balls and causing three turnovers to lead from the back.

The Red Devils jumped out to an early lead just 52 seconds into the contest but a pair of Cardinal tallies from Riley Martin and Maggie Traynor showed a strong fightback from the Cardinals. The two sides continued to trade goals before two Cardinal tallies in the final minute of the first quarter saw coach Meghan McDonogh's squad hold a 5-4 advantage after 15 minutes of play.

Tori Wilsey scored her first of the game two minutes into the second quarter before Lindsay Sawyer got in on the action, cashing in on a Traynor assist to make good on a Catholic player-advantage situation. Martin's strike completed a 4-0 run that took only three-and-a-half minutes of game time.

Again Catholic found success late in the quarter. Just prior to halftime, Madeline Kelly netted her second of the game off a feed from Jessie Lee before Mia Perkell took full advantage of a free-position shot with 21 ticks remaining to take the Cardinals into halftime up 10-7.

Catholic really grabbed control of the game following the halftime interval, largely thanks to its stout defense. Dickinson was held scoreless for the entirety of the third quarter while Mattea Del Peschio and Traynor set up a pair of goals for Izzy Fiore and Wilsey to push the Cardinal lead to five. 

The Cardinal rear guard extended its shutout streak into the third minute of the final quarter before Dickinson finally found the net. Catholic held the Red Devils without a goal for over 21 minutes of game time dating back to the second period.

After Dickinson finally broke the scoring drought, the Red Devils hit back twice in quick succession to cut the deficit to just three. However, Wilsey provided an immediate response, completing her first career hat trick with a free-position goal. The Cardinals went an impressive 3-of-4 on free-position shots in the contest.

Tallies from Jill Kennedy and Del Peschio as the clock ticked down eliminated any doubt in the result. R. Martin put together a complete performance with two goals on two shots, four ground balls and a caused turnover while Lauren Bendo scooped up three ground balls and caused two Red Devil turnovers.

Lauren Davidson played the entire game in the cage for Catholic to secure her first win over the season, making six saves, claiming three ground balls and causing one turnover. In addition to Wilsey's hat trick, she also won a team-high five draw controls.

Catholic's difficult schedule to begin the season continues as the Cardinals conclude its three-game road trip on Wednesday at No. 2 Gettysburg. The Cardinals will face three consecutive ranked opponents, beginning with the midweek battle with the Bullets that is set to begin at 5 p.m.