Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo by Frank Stallworth.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - The final five goals of the first half when in favor of Chestnut Hill, as the Griffins pulled out a 13-2 victory over the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team in the 2016 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference opener on Wednesday night at Victory Field.

The Wildcats (0-7, 0-1 CACC) cut the deficit to 4-1 with 19:14 to play in the first half, but the Griffins (3-5, 1-0 CACC) scored the next seven goals of the game, five of which before the half ended.

The Wildcats captured the game's opening draw, but both of their initial shots were saved by the Griffins' Katie Joe Lang. Following a successful clear, the Griffins earned a free position shot and buried the game's opening goal 4:56 into the contest.

Sara LeBrun had a chance to cut the deficit to 2-1, but her shot following a draw control by Gabby Spalt rang off the post and stayed out. The Griffins would score on their next two shot attempts to take a 4-0 lead.

Spalt picked up another draw and it led to back-to-back free position shots for the Wildcats, with LeBrun burying the second one to put Wilmington on the board, 4-1. But the Griffins would gather five of the final six draws to close out the half, allowing them to take a 9-1 lead into the half.

LeBrun scored again with 15:12 to play in the second half, but it was too little too late for the Wildcats, as the Griffins scored the final two goals of the game for the 13-1 victory.

Defender Christina Ziegler led the team with three ground balls and two caused turnovers while La'Dae Boykin added two ground balls and two caused turnovers. Spalt gathered three draws for the Wildcats while LeBrun scored both unassisted goals for the Wildcats.

Maddie Hurm made seven saves in goal for the Wildcats, but Lang and reserved netminder Valeria Amaya combined to make eight stops on 10 shots on goal for the Griffins. Chestnut Hill out shot the Wildcats, 29-14, for the game.

The Wildcats return home for two games, as they host Dominican on Saturday in another CACC contest. The opening draw is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the WU Athletics Complex.