VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova picked up its largest win of the season in a 20-8 victory over Mercyhurst on Sunday at the Villanova Swim Complex.

Villanova (8-7) has won by 10 or more goals twice this season, the other being a 14-3 win over Mount St. Mary's back on Feb. 13. The Wildcats' offensive power was just as balanced as the defensive effort, holding Mercyhurst (2-8) to just three goals during the entire second half.

Kaysie Stuba matched her career-high of seven goals in a single game in the contest, scoring on all but one shot attempt. All-told, she netted an eight-point effort, adding in an assist.

"I thought this weekend was productive. We've been seeing improvements on our defense and then on our offensive end, a lot of things are getting better," head coach Larry Sanders said. "We're starting play better, come together as unit, so these games have helped us do that."

"I mean, 3-1 over the weekend, 6-2 over the last two seasons, lost to the same team, you know, this weekend was productive for us. I feel like we needed that competition so we can play into it and really start to bond, come together and understand our roles. I feel like it was good, we still have work to do; I feel like, as a coach, you always say that, but we're getting better. I think we'll have a good weekend out in California and then come back to get ready for conference play."

Villanova started the match with a 3-0 run from Stuba, Amanda Rice and Emily Morrissey to create an early gap. Mercyhurst got a goal back from Hanna Good at the 5:48 mark, but Villanova met that with another rush of goals, outscoring the Lakers 5-2 throughout the rest of the quarter, making it an 8-3 contest. That closing stretch of the period saw four different Wildcats score with Emily McKenzie picking up two.

Much like the first, the second quarter started with yet another 3-0 Wildcat run, this time from Rice, Stuba's hat trick and Amelia Baca to extend the lead to 11-3. Mercyhurst regained some ground with a pair of goals in the final two minutes, putting Villanova's lead at 11-5 by halftime.

Mercyhurst scored in the opening minute of the third quarter to make it a six-goal game but Villanova put its foot on the gas, going on a 6-0 run through the rest of the frame that was capped by back-to-back goals from Sydney Bianchi for a 17-6 lead heading into the fourth. By the 3:42 mark of the third, Stuba had already netted a second hat trick, scoring a goal where she picked up a near bobble before connecting with the back of the net.

Stuba's seventh goal was the first of the final period, pushing the lead to 12. Each side scored a pair of goals to close out the contest, including the first of the season for Hanna Cloeter with a minute remaining.

Villanova had 10 goal scorers in the victory with Bianchi, Morrissey, McKenzie and Rice all scoring two goals each. In the cage, Abigail Shelby made 14 saves and added an assist.

Ava Gebhardt led the Lakers with three goals. Both Rachel Vlietstra and Alexa Anderberg scored two. Marley Ramon made two saves.
 
The Wildcats get back into tournament action next weekend, heading to California for the Convergence Tournament. They will face Cal State Northridge and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on March 4 followed by Santa Clara and Whittier on March 5.