ELKINS, W.Va. — The Davis & Elkins College women's lacrosse team fell to Wheeling, 18–13, Thursday afternoon in a Mountain East Conference matchup at Nuttall Field. The contest also served as the Senators' "Every Child Matters" game.

Wheeling used a big second quarter to pull away after a tightly contested opening period. The Cardinals scored nine goals in the second frame to take a 12–5 lead into halftime.

Davis & Elkins opened the scoring for the Senators when Rylee Anderson answered Wheeling's first goal just four seconds later with an unassisted strike. Ke'ya Stevens later gave D&E a 2–1 lead midway through the first quarter before Wheeling scored twice late in the period to lead 3–2 after one.

The Cardinals surged in the second quarter behind multiple man-up opportunities, building a seven-goal advantage heading into the break.

The Senators responded in the third quarter with a strong offensive push. Anderson scored twice early in the frame, and goals from Talia Berardo and Savannah Quave cut the deficit to 12–9 midway through the period. Wheeling answered with three consecutive goals to stretch the lead again before Anderson added another score to close the quarter.

Davis & Elkins continued to battle in the fourth quarter with goals from Stevens, Alexia Gonzales and Quave, but Wheeling maintained control to secure the conference victory.

Anderson led the Senators with five goals and an assist while adding six ground balls and nine shots on goal. Berardo, Stevens and Quave each scored two goals, while Gonzales and Darby Thomson also found the back of the net. Gonzales finished with a goal and an assist, and Zoe Mackey added an assist while leading the team with four draw controls.

Defensively, Quave recorded four ground balls and two caused turnovers, while Mackenzie Mullan collected three ground balls. Anderson also contributed six ground balls in the effort.

In goal, Megan Bauer made eight saves in 42 minutes of action, while Daelyn Hardnack added three saves in relief.

Wheeling was led by Sophia Cirone with eight goals and an assist, while Trinity Rose added six goals.

Davis & Elkins outshot Wheeling 50–32 and held advantages in ground balls (25–13) and draw controls (18–15).

The Senators return to action Saturday, April 11, when they travel to Pittsburgh to face Point Park University at 2 p.m. in Mountain East Conference play.