TACOMA, Wash. – Whitworth University picked up its first-ever women's lacrosse victory over Puget Sound on Friday as the visiting Pirates won 15-11 thanks to balanced scoring and timely defense.

Whitworth (6-9 overall, 4-6 NWC) avenged an early season loss to the Loggers (3-7, 2-6) and established new highs for overall wins and conference wins in one season. 

The Pirates jumped to a 3-0 lead in the opening eight minutes and led 4-3 after one period.  Megan Whitman scored twice in the first quarter for the Bucs, while Cat Schilli tallied twice for UPS.

Leading 7-6 with five minutes left in the first half, Whitworth used another 3-0 run to take a 10-6 lead at the break.  Rebecca Irwin scored two of those late goals to give the Pirates a four-goal cushion.

Whitworth kept the momentum by tallying the first three goals of the third quarter to open a 13-6 advantage.  Nikki Beers scored back-to-back goals 20 seconds apart in that run.  UPS scored the final two of the third, including another by Schilli, to get within 13-8.

The Loggers kept the momentum going into the final period, scoring the first three of the quarter.  Schilli's final goal with 8:45 to play got UPS within 13-11.  After a timeout, Whitworth settled down and did not allow the Loggers to take another shot until less than a minute remained in the match.  By that time Grace Curley had scored a pair of insurance goals for the Bucs.

Whitman, Beers and Caitlin Smith all had three goals each for Whitworth, while Irwin finished with two goals and two assists.  The Pirates outshot the Loggers 39-19.

Whitworth controlled possession by winning 20 of the 30 draw controls, including 10 from Whitman. 

Schilli finished with six goals for UPS, while Maya Sheklow scored three.

The Pirates are now 1-7 all-time against the Loggers since the inaugural 2019 season.