WILMINGTON, Ohio – Franciscan women's lacrosse came away with its first win of the season, benefiting from the return of goalie Savannah Ruhe in a 17-11 win over Wilmington College.

The high scoring affair started off rather unassumingly, with the Quakers holding a 2-1 lead 19 minutes into the game. Then a free position goal from senior attack Jessica Bestgen started a 5-0 FUS run over the next few minutes and gave the Lady Barons a lead they never relinquished.

"Sometimes it's all about the momentum of the game and we definitely capitalized on the momentum going for us in those five minutes," head coach Maura Conant said.

Wilmington then answered with two goals of its own, but as they would all game, the Lady Barons answered. Two straight goals from freshman attack Mackenzie Jaros to close the half gave FUS a 9-4 lead after the first period.

The second half proved to be more of a back-and-forth battle but the Quakers never pulled within more than four.

Franciscan dramatically improved its time of possession in comparison to its two losses early in the season by winning 18 of 32 draw controls and winning the turnover battle 11-17. Conant said another important factor was the development of her team's transition game.

"We've been dedicating a lot of practice time into getting into good space and moving to passes and making our teammates look good by putting the ball into their sticks," Conant said. "Today our transition from defense to midfield was crisp and it was beautiful."

Another defining factor was the presence of sophomore Savannah Ruhe. The team's only goalkeeper returned after missing Franciscan's first two games, to save 15 of 26 faced shots. Those 15 saves were a game changing difference with both teams almost dead even in both shots and shots on goal.

"It was great to have a true goalie in the goal. Just somebody who knows all the little nuances that only experience can teach," Conant said. "We're also able to give our emergency goalie Catherine Cahill her time on the field and she really does a great job for us as a low defender."

With a stronger defense and an improved ability to transition from defense to offense, the FUS attack was given its first true chance to showcase its ability throughout an entire game. Those abilities proved both balanced and effective.

Five different Lady Barons finished with multiple goals led by five from Bestgen, who also added one assist and three draw controls.

Bestgen was supported with four goals from Jaros, and three each from freshman Mary Krolicki and junior captain Tracy McClelland who also had three assists.

"Jess played midfield all of last year but we've put her at attack this year because of her stick skills and that is really paying off for us," Conant said. "She also really helped us with the draw in the first half."

The win puts Franciscan at 1-2 on the season with a chance to reach .500 when they play Washington & Jefferson College on the road on March 23 at 7 pm.