PITTSBURGH – No. 4 Saint Joseph’s had an answer for each VCU score, allowing the Hawks to top the fifth-seeded Rams 16-12 Thursday in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Women’s Lacrosse Championship at Duquesne’s Rooney Field.

SJU (11-6) advances to face top-seeded Massachusetts in the semifinals in a game set for noon Friday.

Saint Joseph’s scored four of the first five goals, and held that lead throughout the rest of the game, despite VCU remaining close and attempting a late rally in the fourth quarter.

Sarah Groark, who scored the first two goals for the Hawks recorded a hat trick, as did Emma O’Neill. Maddie Yoder was SJU’s goals and points leader, with four in each category, tallying a hat trick plus one. Alexa Capozzoli had two assists to lead SJU.

VCU (5-13) played even with Saint Joseph’s after the first quarter, and trailing 12-7, the largest margin of the game, opened the fourth with a flurry. Rachel Koeneke scored less than a minute into the fourth, and Mia George and Kiley Kozak followed after a Yoder counter, pulling the Rams within three at 13-10. But the Hawks answered back and closed out the game with a 3-2 run.

Mason Whitmore equaled Yoder with four goals to lead VCU, and a hat trick by Kelsey McDonnell accounted for most of the Rams scoring. Ashley Karn tallied a game-high five assists.

SJU keeper Jorden Concordia made 11 saves while her VCU counterpart, Ahnika Eberl made eight.