PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Johnson & Wales (RI) University women's lacrosse team secured the No. 1 seed in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament with a 15-8 win over Simmons University Wednesday night at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletic Complex.

Juniors Katie Sloan and Maris DiBeneditto each scored for times and sophomore Madeleine Gould collected three goals and an assist as the Wildcats (13-2, 13-0 GNAC) ran the table in conference play for the fourth time in program history (2017-19). JWU opens the playoffs with a quarterfinal contest at the SMAC this Saturday against No. 8 Elms.

The Wildcats build a 5-1 lead after one behind goals from DiBeneditto, Sloan, and seniors Margaret Johnson and Taina Gamory. DiBeneditto and Sloan each scored twice as JWU ripped off four unanswered to close the first half and take a 10-3 halftime lead.

The Sharks cut their deficit to four at 10-6 with three-straight goals to open the second half before goals from Johnson at 2:19 and Gamory at 1:06 helped JWU close the third with a 13-7 advantage. Fourth-quarter markers from DiBeneditto and Sloan helped seal the win.

Sophomore Emma Glyman made nine saves for JWU, which outshot the visitors 32-21. Sloan led all student-athletes with seven ground balls while Johnson tallied nine draw controls.