GREENVILLE, Pa. (April 18) - Maggie Nelson and Naomi Schwaiger combined to total 30 points to help Saint Vincent overwhelm Thiel 23-10 in Ohio River Lacrosse Conference action at Alumni Stadium. 

Nelson totaled 17 points, the second most of her career in a single game, as she tallied 11 goals and six assists in the victory. Nelson has now scored double-digit goals in each of the past six games. Schwaiger recorded nine goals and four assists. The 13 points sets a new career single-game high for Schwaiger. That total also puts Schwaiger at 100 points for her Bearcat career.

With another strong offensive output, Nelson pushed her single-season point total to 144, which breaks her school record of 134 from last season. Nelson and Schwaiger have combined for 171 goals and 216 points this season, which makes them one of the top scoring duos in the country. 

Saint Vincent overcame a slow start to the contest, as the host Tomcats tallied the first two scores of the game to build an early lead. Nelson helped SVC respond with three straight goals, two of which came off of assists from Schwaiger, giving SVC a 3-2 lead at the 22:20 mark of the first half. After Thiel answered with a goal to tie the score, Nelson and Schwaiger scored back-to-back unassisted goals to make it 5-3 in favor of the Bearcats. 

A goal by the hosts would cut the Bearcat edge to a single goal. However, Nelson would score three straight once again, two of which were assisted by Schwaiger, to make it 8-4. After the Tomcats tallied back-to-back scores, Courtney Kloos scored her first goal of the contest. Then Schwaiger scored off a pass from Nelson before Nelson found the back of the net off an assist from Rachel Belles. Those late goals help SVC strengthen its lead to 11-6 at halftime. 

Thiel opened the second half scoring to pull back within four (11-7). However, Saint Vincent rattled off five straight goals, all of which came from Nelson and Schwaiger. That Bearcat scoring spurt extended the lead to 16-7 with 17:22 to play and effectively ended any thoughts Thiel had of a comeback. The Bearcats would go on to score seven more goals, five coming from Schwaiger and one each by Kloos and Belles. 

Schwaiger would also lead the Bearcats in ground ball pick ups with six in the game. Belles continued to excel in the midfield, tallying double-digit draw controls for a third straight contest. The 14 draw controls by Belles establish a new single-game high.

Corinne Burk tallied three caused turnovers as she continues to be strong on defensive end. Nelson also added five draw controls in support of Belles. Maria Franey moved to 10-2 on the season in goal, making 14 saves over 60 minutes of action in net. 

The win was the sixth straight for Saint Vincent, who improves to 10-2 overall and 7-1 in ORLC play. Thiel falls to 4-8 overall and 4-5 in league games. 

Saint Vincent hosts first place and conference unbeaten Transylvania University on Saturday morning on the SVC turf. The contest between the Bearcats and Pioneers will start at 11 a.m.