BROOKHAVEN, N.Y. - - The nationally 11th ranked Dowling College women's lacrosse team got off to a fast start and went to defeat Wilmington University, 23-3, in the Wildcats' first of a two game weekend in New York.

Jaclyn Hall, Megan Keffer, and Jessica Stratton each scored a goal for the Wildcats (0-2) but Dowling (1-0) jumped out to a 6-0 lead before the visitors got on the board and never looked back.

Wilmington pulled off 14 shots against Dowling, but the home team put home 23 of the teams' 30 shots on the afternoon. The Golden Lions also collected more draw controls, 15-11, more ground balls, 16-10, and went 3-for-3 on free position shots but had more turnovers (12) than Wilmington (10). The Wildcats went 0-for-3 from eight-meters.

Dowling opened its season on Friday, getting four goals from four different players. Nicole Moran led all scorers with four goals, but also recorded four assists on the afternoon. Jackie Anderson tallied four goals and an assist while Samantha Stavish and Kelly DiFede scored four goals each as well. Jerilynn Goodfellow rounded out the hat tricks for the Golden Lions, scoring three goals, two of which came from eight-meters.

In addition to scoring a goal, Keffer led the Wildcats with five shots, picking up three ground balls, and controlling six draws. Stratton recovered four draw controls while causing one turnover and picking up one ground ball as well.

Kaitlyn Hall fell to 0-2 in goal for the Wildcats, playing all 60 minutes, while Tina Fey picked up the win for Dowling making nine saves while playing in all 60 minutes.

The Wildcats have a chance to redeem themselves with less than a 24 hour turnaround as they head to Mercy College for another nonconference matchup on the road. The opening draw is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.