ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Wilkes University women's lacrosse team picked up their sixth straight victory of the year at Elmira College Wednesday night, creating a new best start to a season in program history with the 18-3 victory at Campus Field.

Emily Jackson (Wyoming, PA/Wyoming Area) and Nina-Lily Veale (Franklin, TN/Franklin) drew first blood to put the Colonels ahead in the first quarter, with the latter being a man-up strike from the first year. Elmira drew one back at the 6:37 mark, before Alexis Guttilla (Staten Island, NY/St. Joseph by-the-Sea) scored for Wilkes and the Soaring Eagles struck again in the space of 33 seconds to see the score at the end of the first read 3-2 Wilkes.

Taylor Sparks (Monroeville, NJ/Woodstown) and Morgan Hettesheimer (Monroe Twp., PA/Tunkhannock Area) led a five-goal second quarter for the Colonels, with the duo each netting two goals as they outscored Elmira 5-1 in the frame to take an 8-3 lead into halftime. Madyson Martinez (Owasso, OK/Owasso) was the other goalscorer for the navy and gold, creating an all-first-year connection with Veale on the helper.

The Colonel offense exploded for ten goals in the second half, holding the hosts without another for the final 30 minutes of play to take an 18-3 victory.

Karinne Podwicka's four-goal second half saw the first-year tie Hettesheimer for a game-high four goals, followed closely by Veale with three. Martinez led the Colonel defense with five ground balls while Mara Adams (Mehoopany, PA/Tunkhannock Area) added a team-high two caused turnovers. In net, Davyn Bonvie (Wyoming, PA/Dallas) made four saves in the victory.

As a unit, the Colonels were a perfect 14-14 on clears and out-shot the Soaring Eagles 46-11.

Kelsey Stewart led Elmira with two goals and three caused turnovers. In goal, Kaleigh Krueger made 10 saves.

Wilkes returns to action on Saturday, March 14 as they travel to face cross-town rival King's College in non-conference competition at 1:00 p.m.