THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Cal Lutheran women's lacrosse team capitalized on a relentless defensive effort on Saturday morning, forcing 29 turnovers and rolling to a 12-5 victory over Edgewood University at William Rolland Stadium.

The Regals controlled possession throughout the game, scooping up 29 ground balls and getting goals from six different players in the win.

Cal Lu struck first when Josie Oparanaku opened the scoring just under three minutes into the game. The Eagles answered to even the score, but the Regals quickly regained momentum as Madison Soforenko finished a feed from Oparanaku midway through the period. The Eagles added a late man-up goal to send the teams into the second quarter tied 2-2.

The Regals began to take control in the second quarter. Sydney Shin converted a free-position attempt early in the period before Edgewood briefly tied the game at 3-3. Cal Lutheran then responded with two consecutive goals to close the half, including a score from Oparanaku and a free-position goal from Marley Hunter that helped the Regals carry a 5-3 lead into halftime.

CLU continued to build its advantage in the third. Sydnee Hill opened the scoring with a free-position goal before Peyton Richardson netted another off a pass from Shin. Edgewood answered with a goal later in the period, but Soforenko struck again late in the quarter to push the Regals' lead to 8-4 heading into the final frame.

The Regals pulled away in the fourth quarter with four more goals. Oparanaku added her third of the game before Hill and Hunter both found the back of the net on assists from Shin. Richardson capped the scoring in the final seconds with her second goal, again set up by Shin.

Oparanaku led the Regals with a standout all-around performance, finishing with three goals and one assist while adding nine ground balls and six caused turnovers. Shin also had a big day offensively, recording six points on one goal and five assists to go along with three ground balls and three draw controls.

Hill, Hunter, Soforenko, and Richardson each added two goals for Cal Lutheran, while Richardson's pair marked the first of her collegiate career.

Goalkeeper Bella Bravo recorded nine saves in the victory, helping anchor a defensive unit that consistently pressured Edgewood and capitalized on the Eagles' miscues.

Cal Lutheran returns to action and SCIAC play on Saturday, March 21 when it hosts Redlands at 11 a.m. inside William Rolland.