COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The sixth-ranked Maryland women's lacrosse team outscored third-ranked Virginia five to one in the first half en route to an impressive 11-8 victory in College Park, Md. Terp senior Cathy Nelson scored her first 'hat trick' of the season as the Terps won their first Atlantic Coast Conference match of the year.

The Terps built a 3-0 lead 10 minutes into the first half, before allowing the Cavaliers their only goal of the half at the 9:47 mark. Nelson would score her third goal of the afternoon at the 10 minute mark, and freshman Quinn Carney scored the Terps' fifth goal of the half at the 21 minute mark off an assist from Meredith Egan.

Virginia came out firing in the second half, scoring seven goals. Senior midfielder Peggy Boutillier scored two goals while freshman Mills Hook added her second.

The game remained close all through the second half, but the Terps managed to hold on to the lead throughout. The Terps blew it open in the final two minutes as sophomores Christie Jenkins and Kristin Sommar and Carney would score three goals, respectively, to solidify the win.

Freshman Jen Adams scored two goals on the afternoon and added an assist.

Maryland improves to 2-2 overall, 1-2 in the ACC. Virginia is now 3-1, 0-1 in the ACC. Maryland hosts Harvard on Sunday, March 22 at 1 p.m. at Ludwig Field.