WASHINGTON, Pa. - On Saturday, the Cougars (6-1, 2-0 PAC) played a rematch of last season's PAC Semifinals when they traveled to play the W&J Presidents (3-4, 1-2 PAC). The Cougars jumped out to an early lead in the first half that they were able to preserve in the 13-10 win.


Despite the Presidents scoring the first goal of the game the Cougars were the first team to build a multi-goal lead as they scored the next three. Bella Walski-Rodriguez scored her 13th goal of the season unassisted, continuing her impressive rookie campaign. She followed that up with another goal less than two minutes later, this time assisted by fellow newcomer Marcella Valentine. Natalie Ondo, fresh off her eight goal performance, caps the Cougars first scoring run with her 13th goal of the season, scoring unassisted. The Presidents were able to get one back before the end of the first quarter, cutting the Cougars lead to just 3-2 after the opening 15 minutes.


The Cougars started the second quarter with another three goal run. Madison Kata scored her third goal of the season unassisted before Rachel Luomala scored her third goal of the season assisted by Izzy Davanti. Natalie Ondo completed her first half hat trick, capping the scoring run assisted by Sarah Holt. The Presidents would score the final two goals of the half cutting the Cougars halftime lead to 6-4.


Much like the first half, Bella Walski-Rodrigez started the scoring with an unassisted goal, this one completing her hat trick. Izzy Davanti then decided she had enough assists and scored her sixth goal of the season unassisted. Despite a Presidents goal, the Cougars kept scoring as Natalie Ondo completed her hat trick assisted by Rachel Luomala. That started a four goal run by the Cougars to close the third quarter. Marcella Valentine followed that up with her seventh goal of the season, scoring unassisted. Ondo scored off another Luomala assist for Ondo's game high fourth goal of the day and 17th of the season. Campbell Murphy finished the run with an unassisted goal for her sixth of the season. That gave the Cougars a 12-5 lead heading into the final quarter.


The Presidents tried to mount a comeback in the final quarter, scoring the first three goals of the quarter to cut the Cougars lead down to four. That was when Sarah Holt scored her seventh goal of the season assisted by Izzy Davanti to put the Cougars back ahead by five. The Presidents continued on their comeback train scoring the final two goals of the game but they ran out of time as the Cougars won by a final score of 13-10.


The Cougars were led offensively by Natalie Ondo's four goal performance. Izzy Davanti (1 G 2A), Bella Walski-Rodriguez (3G) and Rachel Luomala (1G 2A) all had three points for the Cougars as well. Marcellk Valentine had a team high four ground balls and was one of four players to all record two caused turnovers. Campbell Murphy had a team high five draw controls. Meghan Cuza-Berry recorded her sixth win of the season in net making six saves.


The Cougars will be back in action on Wednesday April 1st when they host Grove City at UPMC Graham Field for a PAC Championship rematch at 7 PM.