WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Catholic University women's lacrosse team fell to Scranton on Saturday afternoon in a rematch of last year's Landmark Conference Championship game, 12-8.

Scranton came out on top in a battle of two teams that entered the contest undefeated in conference play. Despite a real diversity of scoring as eight different Cardinals found the net, Catholic was unable to overcome a first-quarter deficit. 

The Royals opened the game on a 4-0 run in what was a dominant opening frame for Scranton. Tori Wilsey got the scoring started for Catholic with 1:39 remaining in the period to break the run.

Catholic responded well, building on the Wilsey tally with goals from Mia Perkell and Riley Martin to pull within one at with 11 minutes remaining of the second quarter. Scranton scored again before Izzy Fiore fired home her team-leading 20th goal of the season to again pull within one at 5-4.

That would be the closest the Cardinals would come as Scranton scored twice more before halftime to take a 7-4 lead into the break. The Royals then outscored Catholic 4-1 in the third quarter to lead by six going into the fourth. 

After neither team scored for nearly 10 minutes of game time to begin the final stanza, quickfire goals from Ellie Verrill and Lindsay Sawyer gave Catholic a glimmer of hope, pulling the Cardinals within four with 4:03 remaining. Martin then won the ensuing draw control, allowing Jill Kennedy to fire a shot destined for the bottom corner but a great save from Lauren Boldis in the Scranton cage kept out the shot and effectively shut the door on Catholic. Kennedy did score the final goal of the game with under two minutes remaining.

The game was a physical one as both teams struggled to get into a rhythm throughout. Both teams eclipsed the 20-turnover mark and were assessed a combined 18 total cards. Scranton found an advantage its conversion of free-position opportunities, going 4-for-5 while Catholic only managed to convert at a 3-for-9 clip.

Freshman defender Caroline Gaines showed well for herself, causing two turnovers, winning two draw controls and scooping up three ground balls. Lauren Bendo also caused two turnovers and grabbed three ground balls while Martin won a team-most four draw controls.

Meghan McDonogh's squad will look to bounce back on Wednesday afternoon when it welcomes Goucher to Carlini Field for a Landmark Conference tilt. Opening draw control is set for 4 p.m.