BALTIMORE, Md. – The UMBC women's lacrosse team showed strength on both sides of the ball as the Retrievers defeated the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds, 16-3, on Saturday afternoon. The Retrievers held their opponents to less than five goals for the first time since the 2016 season, when UMBC defeated La Salle, 19-4.

The Retrievers started the game on a three-goal run as senior Carolyn Jamison (Westminster, Md./Westminster) scored off a feed from junior Lauren McDonald (Catonsville, Md./Catonsville), followed by free position goals from McDonald and freshman Lily Kennedy (Marriottsville, Md./Marriotts Ridge).

LIU's Bianca Santucci ended the run with a goal off an assist from Bridget Neiley at the 8:56 mark to cut UMBC's lead to 3-1.

Junior Catherine Sims (Elkridge, Md./Howard) started another UMBC spurt with a free position shot, followed by two goals by McDonald, including one off an assist from senior Caitlin Miller (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora) to give the Retrievers a 6-1 lead.

Sophomore Zoë Pekins (Columbia, Md./Hammond) added another UMBC goal to the board before Neiley ended the scoring run. Jamison would score two more goals before the end of the first period to give the Retrievers a 9-2 lead going into the half.

McDonald started the second half with one of three goals, followed by two each from senior Taylor Oliver (Annapolis, Md./St. Mary's) and junior Payton Van Kirk (Ocean City, Md./Stephen Decatur). The Blackbirds scored their only goal of the half with 1:30 left off a free position shot from Taylor O'Connor.

McDonald finished the day with six goals, followed by Jamison with three goals and one assist. Van Kirk and Oliver each scored two goals, with Van Kirk adding an assist.

Defensively, Jamison and  junior Kayla Renehan (Glenelg, Md./Glenelg) caused four turnovers, followed by Miller and junior Jenna Baverman (Baltimore, Md./Roland Park Country School) with three. Jamison, Sims, and junior Brittany Levine (Middletown, Md./Middletown) each scooped up three ground balls. On draw controls, Jamison led the charge with four, follow by Miller with three.

In goal for UMBC, junior Carly Tolino (Middletown, Md./Middletown) picked up the win after making five saves in eight shots faced. For LIU Brooklyn, Sam Kidd started the game and made three saves on 10 shots, before Virginia Gibbons came in for relief. Gibbons made nine saves on 18 shots.

UP NEXT: The Retrievers will head up to Emmitsburg, Md. to face Mount St. Mary's in a midweek contest on February 21. The opening draw is set for 3 p.m.