BUCKHANNON, W.Va. —Wesleyan's women's lacrosse team opened Tuesday's home matchup with a strong early surge and got all three of its goals from Nyah Elmer, but visiting Virginia State used a string of extra-player opportunities and a decisive third quarter to pull away for a 13-3 win over the Bobcats.
 
Wesleyan struck first just 1:16 into the contest. After winning the opening draw, the Bobcats converted quickly when Francesca Sloan found Elmer for the game's first goal at the 13:44 mark, giving West Virginia Wesleyan a 1-0 lead.
 
Virginia State answered as the opening quarter unfolded, taking advantage of several Bobcat penalties. The Trojans evened the score on a man-up goal by Sophia Toye with 7:04 left in the first, then added back-to-back scores from Bryelle Small and Nakiyah Jones to close the period ahead 3-1. Despite the deficit, Wesleyan remained within striking distance behind several early saves from goalkeeper Ella Gomez.
 
Virginia State extended its lead early in the second quarter on an unassisted goal from Unique Anthony, but the Bobcats responded with one of their best moments of the afternoon. Playing a player down, Elmer created a spark with an unassisted man-down goal at 7:27, trimming the margin to 4-2. The Trojans, however, answered immediately with two quick man-up scores just 13 seconds apart from Nakiyah Jones and Small to push the lead to 6-2 by halftime.
 
After Virginia State scored first in the third quarter, Elmer completed her hat trick with another extra-player goal at 10:18, cutting the deficit to 7-3. But that would be Wesleyan's final goal of the day. Virginia State seized control over the remainder of the quarter, stringing together four goals in the final 5:33 of the period, including two from Carea Tuck, to build an 11-3 cushion heading into the fourth.
 
In the fourth, the Trojans added two more goals to account for the final margin. Wesleyan generated several late chances, including shots from Sloan and Elmer, but Virginia State goalkeeper Ilyana Jones and the Trojan defense kept the Bobcats off the board over the final 15 minutes.
 
Elmer led the Bobcats offensively with three goals on five shots and also contributed three caused turnovers and three draw controls. Sloan added an assist, while Wesleyan received ground balls from Jacenia Alvarado and Sydnie Pierre. Gomez was busy throughout the afternoon and turned in a strong effort in goal with 14 saves over 60 minutes.
 
Virginia State was paced by Tuck's four goals and one assist, while Small and Nakiyah Jones each added three goals. The Trojans finished with advantages in shots (32-9) and shots on goal (22-5), while both teams were even in draw controls at seven apiece. Wesleyan also went a perfect 4-for-4 on clears.
 
The Bobcats are back on Cebe Ross Field to host Point Park University on Thursday, Mar. 26 at 7 p.m.