EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University women's lacrosse team saw eight different players reach the point column as the Colonels cruised past Notre Dame of Maryland 18-3 Saturday afternoon at Schmidt Stadium.
 
Wilkes moves to 5-0 overall following the home win marking the first time since 2016 the Colonels have started unbeaten after five games. Notre Dame of Maryland falls to 0-2 on the year.
 
Wilkes jumped out to a 5-0 lead after one quarter as four different Colonels found the back of the net. Madyson Martinez (Owasso, OK/Owasso) led the attack with two goals while Taylor Sparks (Monroeville, NJ/Woodstown), Morgan Hettesheimer (Monroe Twp., PA/Tunkhannock Area) and Nina-Lily Veale (Franklin, TN/Franklin) each added one goal.
 
The Wilkes lead grew to 12 at the half as the Colonels scored eight more times in the second frame. Hettesheimer finished off her hat trick with two more goals while Alexis Guttilla (Staten Island, NY/St. Joseph by-the-Sea) and Halie Albright (Taneytown, MD/Francis Scott Key) netted two goals each in the eight-goal second. Wilkes held a 9-0 advantage before Notre Dame of Maryland found the back of the net for the first time in the contest.
 
The Colonels then outscored the Gators 5-2 over the final 30 minutes of play to secure the non-conference home victory.
 
Sparks and Veale combined for 10 points on five goals and five assists to lead the balance Wilkes attack. Guttilla followed with four points on three goals and one helper while Hettesheimer finished with three goals. Albright also contributed three goals in the lopsided victory.
 
Wilkes outshot Notre Dame of Maryland 36-7 while forcing 22 Gator turnovers. Notre Dame of Maryland also struggling in the clearing game finishing 2-for-20.
 
Davyn Bonvie (Wyoming, PA/Dallas) finished with two saves on way to her fifth win of the season.
 
Wilkes looks to continue its unbeaten streak to open the season on Wednesday with a road stretch at Elmira College at 7:00 p.m.