WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Whitman outscored visiting Whitworth 11-2 after the first quarter to pull away for a 16-5 Northwest Conference women's lacrosse win on Wednesday evening.

The Pirates fell to 5-10 overall and 3-7 in the NWC with their second loss of the season to Whitman, while the Blues improved to 11-3, 8-1 thanks to five goals apiece by Eliza Daigle and Gracie Maulik.

Whitworth got on the board first on Megan Whitman's goal just over a minute into the match.  Whitman scored the next two goals, including Daigle's first.  Nikki Beers tied the contest with a goal just over four minutes in.  Daigle scored the next three goals before Caitlin Smith pulled the Pirates within 5-3 to end the first period.

Unfortunately for Whitworth, the offense went cold the rest of the way.  Whitman outscored the Bucs 5-1 in the second period, including two by Maulik.  Caitlin Smith scored the only goal of the period for the Pirates, who trailed 10-4 at the half.

Whitworth's defense stiffened in the third quarter, limiting Whitman to three goals, but the Bucs could not find the net.  Maulik and Daigle scored in the period for the Blues.

Maulik scored two of Whitman's three goals in the fourth quarter.  Beers had her second of the match in the final period, from an assist by Whitman.

Whitman outshot Whitworth 31-20.  The Blues gained 15 ground balls to only nine for the Bucs.  Whitworth finished with a 14-9 edge in draw controls.

Megan Whitman led the Pirates with nine draw controls.  Maddie Jennings had three of the Bucs' nine ground balls.

Whitworth returns to action on Friday afternoon at Puget Sound.