ROCHESTER, NY -- The RIT (4-1) women's lacrosse team defeated Western New England University (4-1) 20-8 in non-conference action from RIT's Turf Field on day one of the Coaches vs. Cancer Flower City Cup.

#Shelby Vakiener (Fairport, NY/Fairport) led RIT with eight points on five goals and three assists. (Silver Spring, MD/Our Lady of Good Counsel)Marlee Vlassis (Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa)# added seven points on five goals and two assists, while freshman sage Sarkis (Honeoye Falls, NY/Honeoye Falls-Lima) had three goals and an assist, and #Ashleigh Caruso (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool)# had two goals and two assists.

RIT outshot Western New England 40-26, and won the ground ball battle 34-25. RIT was 19-of-21 on clearing attempts, while the GOlden Bears was 9-of-16 on clearing attempts.

Tayolor Scialdone led Western New England with three goals and a pair of assists. Kaitlynn Stevens scored three goals, and Brooke Kumnick had a goal and an assist.

#Katelyn Crane (Palmyra, NY/Palmyra-Macedon)# picked up her fourth win of the season, making 11 saves for the Tigers.

Emily Castleman took the loss for Western New England allowing eight goals and making just one save. Melissa Perry played the final 44:52 of the game allowing 12 goals and making seven saves.

RIT opend up the game scoring the first eight goals of the game, leading 12-6 at the half. Sarkis, Leone and Vakiener each had two goals in that opening stretch for RIT.

The Tigers outscored the Golden Bears 8-2 in the second half, including a three-goal run to start the half, and a five-goal run to close out the game.

RIT returns to action on Sunday, March 17 when the Tigers host Endicott College at 3 pm on RIT's Turf Field.