DAVIDSON, N.C. – Fueled by a dominant third period, No. 4 seed Davidson cruised past No. 5 seed Saint Joseph’s, 13-6, on Thursday at Davidson College Stadium to open the 2026 Betterment Atlantic 10 Women’s Lacrosse Championship.
 
Davidson (13-4) jumped out to a quick start, scoring the game’s first three goals. Keira Best found the back of the net first, before Allie Hartnett and Jenna Skibbe converted from there. Saint Joseph’s senior Kate Fuhrman got the Hawks (7-10) on the board shortly past the midway point in the first quarter, kickstarting a 3-0 run that tied the game 3-3 heading into the second period.
 
Two more goals for Skibbe, a first-team all-conference selection, helped the Wildcats regain command in the second quarter. Saint Joseph’s sophomore Riley Bittinger scored before halftime to cut the gap to 7-5, but the Wildcats answered with a quick goal from Allie Hartnett to open the second half.
 
Davidson outscored Saint Joseph’s 5-0 in the third quarter, taking a 12-5 lead into the final period. Skibbe led the Wildcats with four goals on Thursday, while six different players scored the Hawks six goals. Davidson goalie Kayla Joyce logged six saves for a .500 save percentage.
 
Davidson earned statistical edges in shots (27-23), shots on goal (15-11), turnovers (10-20), and ground balls (18-17). The Wildcats took advantage of penalties, converting 6-of-8 free position shots while stopping all five opportunities for Saint Joseph’s.
 
The Wildcats will face top-seeded Richmond in the semifinals on Friday, May 1 at 12 p.m. ET.