WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Three Pirates scored four goals apiece while the defense dominated the final 20 minutes to lead visiting Whitworth to a 20-9 win over Whitman in a Northwest Conference women's lacrosse match on Wednesday evening.

The Pirates (5-1 overall, 2-1 NWC) bounced back from their first loss of the season while the Blues dropped to 5-3, 1-2.

Whitworth controlled possession and dominated the ball, outshooting Whitman 44-18.  The Bucs had a 21-12 advantage in draw controls and a 10-3 edge in ground balls.

With the match tied 1-1 five minutes into the contest, Whitworth scored seven straight goals to take control in the first quarter.  Abby Hahn, Jordyn Bennett and Campbell Vincent each scored two apiece to lead the Bucs to an 8-2 lead after the first quarter.

After Whitman got within 8-3, Whitworth scored four straight to go ahead 12-3 in the second.  The Pirates led 13-6 at the break.

The Blues continued to chip away and got within 14-9 on Madeleine Sherry's goal halfway through the third period.  Whitman would not score again as Whitworth outscored the Blues 6-0 down the stretch.  The Pirate defense limited Sherry, the NWC's leading scorer by a wide margin, to only two goals and two assists.  She came into the contest averaging seven goals per match.

Hahn finished with four goals and two assists, Vincent had four goals and one assist and Bennett scored four goals.  Sierra Witte had six draw controls, five ground balls and two caused turnovers, while Megan Whitman also finished with six draw controls.  Sage Fosnock made five saves while playing all 60 minutes in goal.

Whitworth is now 3-5 all-time vs. Whitman and all three victories have come in Walla Walla.  The Pirates will take on Puget Sound in the Pine Bowl on Saturday at 1:00 pm.