WISE, Va. – A dominant defensive effort led the West Virginia Wesleyan lacrosse team to an 8-2 win over Virginia-Wise here today in Mountain East Conference action.

Wesleyan jumped into a 6-0 lead after 21 minutes of action.

Jessica Hardman (pictured) scored four first-half goals and Natalie Schaffner and Kim Lubic each tacked on one to account for the scoring.

Virginia-Wise finally got on the scoreboard with 5:35 left in the opening half when Hannah Marshall scored on a free position shot.

That gave Wesleyan a 6-1 lead heading into the intermission.

The second half saw only three goals scored.

Emily Noel scored at the 18:08 mark and Hardman scored three minutes later to treat Wesleyan to an 8-1 lead.

Stephanie Sintetas wrapped up the scoring with a goal at the 10:12 mark of the second half for Virginia Wise.

Wesleyan owned a 14-9 margin in shots-on-goal.

Wesleyan keeper Lexi Swisher (10-4) made seven saves for the Lady 'Cats.

Wesleyan also won the draw control battle by a 7-5 margin.

The win improved Wesleyan to 10-4 overall and 2-2 in the MEC.

They will return to action Sunday when they host Notre Dame at 11 a.m. in a MEC affair.

It will be senior day for Wesleyan as they honor their four seniors – Hardman, Noel, Taylor Holmes and Jackie Luciany.

(File photo courstey of Brian Bergstrom/Record Delta)