WEST CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University women's lacrosse junior Pamela Schenck (East Moriches, N.Y.) scored a career-high six goals to help lead the Cougars to a 17-5 victory over the University of the District of Columbia in their home opener.
 
The Cougars improve to 2-2 on the season, while the Firebirds fall to 1-4.
 
Caldwell raced out to a 7-0 lead midway through the first half. Freshmen Arden Kassaleh (Pompton Plains, N.J.) and Amber Raines (Millville, N.J.) each netted two goals to get the Cougars out to a lead. Sophomore Maryellen McCarthy (Levittown, N.Y.), Schenck and sophomore Rachel Lucia (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) each tallied goals for the Caldwell early in the game.
 
The Firebirds answered with a goal at the 15:52 mark but Schenck netted two goals to extend their lead to 9-1. Raines and Kassaleh each added their third goal of the game to give Caldwell an 11-1 lead with under five minutes left in the half.
 
The District of Columbia netted a goal with 2:26 left in the first half but the Cougars answered late in the half. Schenck tallied a goal with under a minute to play to give Caldwell a 12-2 lead at halftime.
 
Schenck and Kassaleh each scored early in the second half as Caldwell extended their lead to 14-2. The Cougars maintained their lead as Raines, Schenck and McCarthy each netted goals in the final 15 minutes of the game.
 
In net, sophomore Elizabeth Ruedemann (Monmouth Junction, N.J.) recorded three saves to earn the win in 50 minutes. Sophomore Nancy Benedetto (Jupiter, Fla.) played the final 10 minutes and recorded one save.
 
The Cougars are back in action on Saturday, March 25 as they travel to the University of Bridgeport for a 12 pm game.