WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Whitworth University used a big first quarter to set the stage for its first lacrosse win of the season, defeating Eastern Oregon 13-11 on Sunday afternoon at the WhitLax Classic on the campus of Whitman College.

The Pirates (1-1) outscored the Mountaineers (1-3) 8-2 in the first 15 minutes of the game.  Six different players scored in the period for Whitworth, led by Madison Perry and Anna Chase, who had two apiece.  It was a goal by Chase in the final minute that gave the Bucs their 8-2 lead.

Eastern cut into the margin in the second quarter.  The Pirates were held scoreless for 12 minutes before Kenzie Hemman scored with 2:57 left to give Whitworth a 9-6 lead at halftime.

The Pirates were able to re-establish some breathing room in the third quarter.  Chase and Hemman each scored a goal to give Whitworth an 11-6 lead and the Pirates' defense held EOU off the scoreboard for almost the first 12 minutes.  Perry scored again with only 14 seconds left to increase the Pirates' lead to 12-7 heading to the final quarter.

The Mountaineers scored twice within the first five minutes to cut the margin to 12-9.  Chase answered with her final goal of the match with 8:14 left for a 13-9 lead.  Eastern scored twice within the span of a minute to close to within 13-11 with 7:16 left.  But Whitworth's defense was solid over the final half of the fourth quarter to preserve the win.

Sage Fosnock played the first and third quarters in goal for the Pirates, while Hannah Lew tended the net in the second and fourth periods.

Chase finished with four goals, while Perry and Hemman had three each.  Perry tallied eight goals over the weekend.

Whitworth will open Northwest Conference play on March 5-6 at Willamette and Pacific (Ore.).  Both matches will start at 1:00 pm.