SALISBURY, N.C.  –  Senior midfielder Katie Wardle totaled a season-high five goals to lead the 14^th-ranked Queens University of Charlotte women's lacrosse team past Catawba College this evening in South Atlantic Conference play. The win helps the Royals improve to 10-2 on the year and 5-0 in league play while also extending Queens' win streak to seven. The Indians fall to 5-7 on the year and 4-2 in the SAC.
 
Queens quickly jumped out in front with a 2-0 lead this evening after finding the back of the net twice in the first three minutes of action. Later, a goal at 19:41 from Hanna Scott gave the visiting team a short-lived 4-1 advantage as Catawba responded with a pair to cut the margin to one, 4-3, with 16:37 left in the half. Queens then answered closing the half with a 4-1 push to take an 8-4 lead into the locker room at the break.
 
In the second, both teams traded opening goals before a 4-0 run by the Royals widened the gap to eight, 13-5, with 13:21 left to play. Back-to-back goals scored by the Indians reduced Queens' lead to six with 7:12 on the clock, but the Royals answered with three in a row while also holding Catawba scoreless in the remaining minutes of action to secure their seventh straight win.
 
Queens outshot the Indians 47-21 to put 36 shots on goal. The Royals also totaled 36 ground balls to Catawba's 18, but lost the battle at the draw narrowly, 14-13.
 
Wardle completed play with five goals and one assist to total six points. Kara Blanchard added five points on two goals and three assists while Ally Blood added three points on two assists and one goal. Allison Conn, Rachel Perrett, and Sydney Bracken chipped in with two goals each.
 
On the defensive end, the Royals totaled 17 caused turnovers with Blanchard's four leading the way. Kyleigh Masteran added three caused turnovers while Katy Miller and Taylor Quade notched two apiece. Blanchard also led the Royals with six ground balls. In goal, Chase Brokaw recorded nine saves.
 
Erin Green, Gianna Pezzulo, and Imani Grays tallied two goals each to lead the Indians. Aryn Dorr totaled 19 saves in goal.
 
The Royals will be right back in action on Saturday, April 6 at Mars Hill. Play is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.