Sparkill, N.Y. - A trio of hat tricks by Ella Entress, Katelyn Cerrato and Hailey Galison helped power the St. Thomas Aquinas College Women's Lacrosse team to its first victory of the new season, 18-12, on Friday afternoon at Spartan Field.

STAC moves to 1-1 on the season, while Chestnut Hill falls to 0-1.

Ella Entress and Katelyn Cerrato led the Spartans' offense with six goals and an assist each, while teammate Hailey Galison scored four times and added two helpers on the afternoon. Jada Garcia (1 goal, 1 assist) and Meghan Tarantino (1 goal, 1 assist) also added to the totals on the scoreboard for the maroon and gold. Goalie Lilah Magenheimer (W, 1-0) got her first start between the pipes for STAC and stopped 14 of 26 shots faced.

Meanwhile, Chestnut Hill was led by Molly Killion, who tallied five goals and an assist. Nicole George (4 goals) and Kendall Gayton (3 goals, 3 assists) added to the totals on the scoresheet for the Griffins. Goalie Lyikiea Anderson (L, 0-1) went the distance for Chestnut Hill and turned aside 8 of 26 shots fired her way.

Chestnut Hill opened the scoring (Molly Killion), before the maroon and gold struck for three straight goals (Hailey Galison, Jada Garcia & Ella Entress) to make it a 3-1 game. The visitors added the final two goals (Kendall Gayton & Nicole George) of the first quarter to claw back even with the Spartans at 3-3.

However, STAC would errupt for three consecutive tallies (Katelyn Cerrato (2) & Ella Entress) to open the second quarter, doubling their advantage at 6-3. The Griffins would get one back (Molly Killion), but then saw St. Thomas Aquinas score twice more (Hailey Galison (2)) to make it 8-4. Chestnut Hill once again closed a stanza with back-to-back goals (Nicole George (2)) to cut their deficit to 8-6 at the half.

After the break, the Spartans regained their scoring touch, outdueling Chestnut Hill 6-3 (Ella Entress (3), Hailey Galison, Katelyn Cerrato, Meghan Tarantino, Nicole George & Molly Killion (2)) for the frame to increase its lead to 14-9. The Griffins were down a touchdown late in the quarter, but again rallied with the final two goals keep the game within reach.

In the final stanza, STAC popped in the first two goals (Ella Entress & Katelyn Cerrato) before Chestnut Hill answered with two of their own (Kendall Gayton (2)). The Spartans (Katelyn Cerrato) and Griffins (Molly Killion) then traded scores with the maroon and gold closing out the scoring (Katelyn Cerrato) in the final 67 seconds to take home the 18-12 triumph.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: 

• STAC outshot Chestnut Hill 33-30 (26-26 on goal) for the match.
• Ella Entress tallied a game-high 10 shots, with 9 going on net for the St. Thomas Aquinas senior.
• Hailey Galison gathered eight of the Spartans 33 ground balls and also caused a turnover.
• STAC won 18 of 33 draw controls on the afternoon, with Hailey Galison and Katelyn Cerrato winning six draws apiece.
• The whistles were active throughout Friday's match as the Spartans earned 9 cards (5 green, 4 yellow), while Chestnut Hill was also issued 9 cards (6 green, 3 yellow).

UP NEXT:

STAC embarks on a five-match road trip, first stopping at Caldwell University on Wednesday, March 5. The Spartans and Cougars are set to do battle at the Kiwanis Oval in Caldwell, New Jersey beginning at 6:00 p.m.