NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - In the midst of a tight game halfway through the second quarter, Catholic shifted gears, outscoring Meredith 13-1 the rest of the way as they earned an NCAA Tournament victory on Saturday afternoon. 

Jessie Lee, Charlotte Spaulding, and Tori Wilsey all logged hat tricks for Catholic while the defensive locked down a high-powered offense to come away with the 19-5 win. This marks Catholic's fifth win by 13 or more goals in the NCAA First Round in the last seven years. 

11 different Cardinals scored with five players scoring two or more goals in an all-around effort. Jill Kennedy and Mattea Del Peschio each handed out two assists for Catholic.

Catholic held the advantage at the draw, totaling 16 draw controls to Meredith's 10. Ariana Bransfield had five to lead the way for Catholic while Lee came away with four and Lauren Bendo and Riley Martin each recorded three. 

Spaulding had a game-high five ground balls to go with her three goals while Izzy Fiore contributed four ground balls along with two goals. Landmark Conference Defensive Player of the Year Rachel Rubenstein caused four turnovers and added three ground balls for Catholic. 

Leading 8-4 at the half after late second quarter goals from Spaulding and Del Peschio, Catholic came out hot to start the third, scoring four goals in the first 4:30 to push the lead to 12-4. 

Wilsey's third goal of the game came with 5:07 left in the third and put the Cardinals ahead by nine goals. Spaulding scored with 28 seconds left in the third to extend the lead to 10. 

The Cardinals would score five more in the fourth quarter, as Caroline Regan and Grace English both got on the board with goals.

Catholic will take on Christopher Newport tomorrow afternoon in the NCAA Tournament Second Round.