RIVER FALLS, Wis. – The UW-River Falls women's lacrosse team scored early and often on Friday afternoon to cruise to an 18-2 victory over Milwaukee School of Engineering.

The Falcons improved to 3-2 on the season behind a balanced offensive performance that saw 10 different players find the back of the net. Samantha Hayek led the way with five goals and three assists, while Elizabeth Clough and Macy Patton each added three goals.

River Falls wasted little time taking control, scoring the game's first three goals. Avery Watzke opened the scoring at the 13:34 mark of the first quarter before Anna Plath and Clough added goals to give the Falcons a 3-0 advantage. MSOE responded with a man-up goal midway through the quarter, but River Falls closed the period with back-to-back goals from Hayek to carry a 5-1 lead into the second.

The Falcons continued to build the lead in the second quarter as Megan Peter and Watzke scored early before Patton found the net late in the period, sending UWRF into halftime with an 8-2 advantage.

UWRF pulled away in the second half, scoring four times in the third quarter and adding six more goals in the fourth. Patton recorded a hat trick, while Watzke finished with two goals and an assist. Natasha Berthiaume, Molly Pierce and Piper Perron also scored for the Falcons.

River Falls outshot MSOE 45-9 while holding a 30-14 edge in ground balls. The Falcons also forced 35 turnovers and successfully cleared the ball a season-high 19 times (19-for-22).

The Falcons (3-2, 0-0 WIAC) return to Ramer Field next Friday for another nonconference test against Lake Forest College.