Box Score
 
WHEELING, W.Va. – The Wheeling Jesuit women's lacrosse team's stifling defense shut down the visiting Walsh Cavaliers, and paved the way for a decisive 17-4 victory on Sunday.
 
The Cardinal's third straight win puts them in control of their own destiny as the end of the season nears, with a 4-2 GLIAC record (8-4 overall). For the first time in program history, WJU is in a position to host a quarterfinal match, or earn a potential quarterfinal bye in the playoffs.
 
Over the last three games, the Cardinals have outscored their opponents 55 – 20, and their offensive prowess kept rolling against Walsh, scoring 17 goals on 38 shots. Conversely, the WJU defense only allowed Walsh to get 11 shots off to score their four goals.
 
"I think the combination of our girls coming out determined to put Walsh away early, and being able to have a lot of success controlling the draw was the biggest difference for us today," said WJU head coach Tim Florence. "We also had a lot of girls step up and make contributions offensively, and the team played as a unit."
 
Leading the way on the Cardinal Attack was standout sophomore attacker Jessie Tufnell who netted five goals on eight shots. A pair of freshmen stepped up with breakout games for WJU as well. Danielle Kirby (Oregon City, Ore.) and Paige Plesich (Columbus, Ohio) each chipped in with three goals each to bolster the WJU total.
 
Elizabeth Hales, another freshman (who leads the team with 38 goals on the season) added two more for WJU, and senior captain Sara Fitzsimon added a pair as well.
 
Freshman Goalkeeper Maire Austin picked up four saves while allowing four shots past. The Walsh attack had difficulty even testing Ausin however, with WJU picking up 30 ground balls and taking 13 draw controls.
 
WJU travels to South Euclid, Ohio on Thursday to face Notre Dame College, a team they lost to last year, for a non-conference challenge that will test the Cardinals as playoff time nears.