ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College women's lacrosse team rolled to a dominating season-opening 14-3 home win over non-conference foe Sweet Briar College (Va.) on Saturday.

Senior captain Ali Cucinotta led the Bishops with 4 goals and 3 assists while winning eight draw controls.

Freshman attacking teammate Blaire Harley got things rolling for Wesleyan by scoring two goals in the first four minutes of action before Cucinotta followed with two of her own. Wesleyan built up an 8-1 lead at halftime thanks to first half-goals from junior midfielders Maddie O'Neill and Madeline Graham and another goal from senior attacker Deja Hartman as NCWC outshot the Vixens 14-10 in the half.

Graham then put Wesleyan up 9-1 with her leadoff goal in the second half, her third goal of the game. Graham would also finish with an assist and three draw controls.

O'Neill would then follow with two goals of her own sandwiched around another Hartman goal as the Bishops built their lead to 12-2 with 17 minutes to play. 

Cucinotta then finished off the scoring for Wesleyan with two late goals while leading the team in ground balls with four. Also accumulating multiple GBs were Harley, freshman Aisling Key, Graham and junior defender Aydriyan Upchurch.

Wesleyan finished the day outshooting SBC 24-17 overall while freshman goalie Devin Bautz had a good day making 8 saves on 11 shots .

"It was great to have student fans in attendance with the Covid-19 protocols safely in place," commented head coach Bridget Walker. "And We were thrilled to get a win in our first game back in 11 months!" 

The Bishops, 1-0, will next return to action on Wednesday when they remain home to host Ferrum College at 3:30 PM.