RICHMOND, Va. - Behind a hot hand from sophomore Lauren McDonald (Catonsville, Md./Catonsville), the UMBC women's lacrosse team defeated the VCU Rams, 20-10, on Saturday afternoon. 

McDonald led the Retrievers with six goals and one assist, while senior Sam Nolan (Fallston, Md./Fallston) added five more scores for the Black and Gold. Sophomore Sara Moeller (Phoenix, Md./St. Paul's School for Girls) dished out nine helpers to go along with four goals; Moeller's nine assists now stands as the most in a single game in UMBC history, breaking Gina Tirocchi's 21 year old record (six vs. Vanderbilt in 1996).  Nolan and junior Caitlin Miller (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora) each led with six draws.

Senior goalkeeper Ashley Peacock (Crofton, Md./Elizabeth Seton/Louisville) made five saves in the 12 shots faced in almost 52 minutes of play. Sophomore Carly Tolino (Middletown, Md./Middletown) also saw time in goal, playing 8:15 in the net.

The first half started out hot for both teams, with VCU striking first at the 27:32 mark, but Nolan and sophomore Brittany Levine (Middletown, Md./Middletown) quickly gave UMBC a 2-1 lead.

After VCU's Molly Barcikowski scored her second of the game, McDonald scored two straight along with a goal from senior Jennie Milligan to put UMBC up, 5-2. The teams then traded goals as the Rams closed the gap to 6-5 after Keriann McTavish scored off a free position shot. 

After VCU's goal, UMBC would go on a 6-1 run to end the first half of play, including three from McDonald and junior Taylor Oliver (Annapolis, Md./St. Mary's/Colorado) netting her first goal in a UMBC uniform. The Retrievers would take an 11-6 lead into the intermission.

Coming out of the break, UMBC kept the same momentum as they fired off four straight goals from McDonald, Nolan, Moeller, and sophomore Payton Van Kirk (Ocean City, Md./Stephen Decatur) to lead, 15-6. The Retrievers held the Rams scoreless for the first 9:02 of the second half before McTavish found the back of the net. 

UMBC used another four-goal run to lead, 19-7, before the Rams ended the game on a 3-1 tear.

Barcikowski and Sky Hyatt each led the Rams with three goals, while Clare Murphy picked up the only assist of the game for VCU. Hyatt also led the team with four draw controls.

Overall, UMBC outshot their hosts, 37-20, including a 32-15 advantage on goal. After falling behind in the draw control battle on Wednesday, UMBC controlled 19 draws compared to VCU's 12.

UP NEXT: UMBC will remain on the road as they travel to American on Wednesday, Feb. 22 for a 3 p.m. contest.