GAMBIER, Ohio -- After opening the season with nine straight wins against non-conference competition, the Kenyon College women's lacrosse team welcomed Ohio Wesleyan University to The Field at Benson Bowl to begin their North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) campaign. The Battling Bishops (7-4, 0-1 NCAC) provided a tough test, but the Owls held firm and stayed perfect through 10 games with a 10-7 victory.

No. 19/22-ranked Kenyon got on the board almost immediately when Caroline O'Neil, the team's leading scorer, converted a free position shot on the game's first offensive possession. The early score was a precursor to O'Neil's big game as the senior racked up game-highs with four goals and two assists to accompany a pair of caused turnovers.

The early lead set the stage for the Owls to dominate on their home turf for the fifth time this season. Through four games, Kenyon outscored opponents 79-22 for an average margin of victory of 14.25 goals, but Ohio Wesleyan did not allow Kenyon to coast to another big win.

The Bishops had answers to each of Kenyon's first two goals, tying the game at 1-1 after O'Neil's score and evening things up again at 2-2 after Lily Mason had reclaimed the Owls' edge. 

After the teams matched each other through one quarter, O'Neil took control in the second frame to get the Owls going. She needed just over five minutes to score the first two goals of the period, one in a man-up opportunity and one off an assist from Tatumn Eccleston. However, OWU scored the half's final goal as Kenyon carried a one-goal lead into the break.

Julia Losey scored an early man-up goal before another OWU answer, but Ella Murphy scored twice over a 3-0 run that stretched into the early fourth quarter to help Kenyon double-up Ohio Wesleyan 8-4. Still, the Bishops responded with two straight scores to cut the lead in half with 6:28 remaining.

OWU looked to maintain momentum and had possession, but O'Neil and the Owls' defense caused a turnover to thwart a clear attempt and give the ball back to Kenyon. Ali Hatfield made the most of the opportunity with a goal on the ensuing possession, and O'Neil all but salted the win away with another goal just over a minute later.

Ohio Wesleyan added a goal with 2:09 left, but Nola Garand and Kenyon's defense turned away three late shot attempts to clinch the 10-7 victory.

Despite scoring their second-fewest goals of the season, Kenyon kept control thanks to a 14-7 edge in draw controls. The Owls also capitalized on OWU miscues, turning three yellow cards into two man-up goals and an 8-2 edge in free position shots into a 3-0 advantage on the scoreboard.

Up next, Kenyon will head to Springfield, Ohio, to take on the Wittenberg University Tigers (2-9, 0-1 NCAC) at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11.