Arlington, Va. – Marymount University's women's lacrosse team won its 2013 season opener with a 16-0 shutout victory over visiting Gwynedd-Mercy on Wednesday afternoon. The win marks only the third shutout for the Blue and White in program history and the first season opening victory for the Saints since 2008.

Marymount last blanked an opponent in 2002 with an 18-0 victory over Shenandoah. The Saints also held Hood scoreless in a 21-0 win in 2001.

Megan McGuirk and Mary Ellen Whitlock both notched hat tricks for the Saints with three goals each. Stephanie Flood, Taylor Johnson, Catherine Powell and Jacki Belker each added a pair of goals while Molly Maher and Summerlin Meredith both chipped in one.

Belker's opening goal just under seven minutes into the game proved to be the game-winner.

Maher also notched a game-high three assists while Flood added two. Johnson, McGuirk and Sadaf Najafzadeh also contributed an assist as well.

In goal, Kiki Niebuhr (1-0) earned the shutout, hauling in four saves. She added a ground ball and a caused turnover as well.

As a team, the Saints caused 15 turnovers and held the Griffins (0-1) to just 8-of-17 successful clear attempts. Cecilia Pasquale led the way with three caused turnovers while Flood and Maher both added a pair.

Maher and Kelly Smigen led MU with three ground balls each while four others had two. Maher also led all players with five draw controls as the Saints won the starting battle 14-4.

Marymount returns to action over Spring Break as it travels to face Birmingham-Southern on Tuesday, March 5, in Sewanee, Tenn. The Saints then face the University of the South on Thursday, March 7.