It took less than two minutes for St. Ambrose to score its first goal. And the Bees never stopped scoring in a 23-8 win over Missouri Valley in the Heart of America Conference opener for both teams Saturday afternoon.

The game was decided in the first 12 minutes as SAU raced to an 8-0 lead. In those opening minutes, Lauren Hoesly had a hat trick and Anabelle Brown scored two of her team-best six goals, including the goal that started the scoring just 1:53 in.

The lead was 8-2 after one quarter and the Bees extended the margin to 15-3 at the half. With a running clock in the second half, St. Ambrose cruised to its third straight win.

Brown and Hoesly led the way offensively. Brown scored six goals and added two assists. Hoesly tallied five goals and four assists.

Abby Vanderwarren netted four goals, Raegan Dotterer scored three and Jayden Ambrose had two. Sophie McPeek, Delaney Austad and Claire Jeffers also each had a goal.

Austad registered a team-best five assists. Jeffers had three assists and Morgan O'Malley was credited with two.

Saige Carlton came up with eight saves to earn the victory. She also picked up three ground balls.

McPeek had a team-high four ground balls. Abby Taaffe matched Carlton with three. Dotterer, Cailey Kramer, Josie Mork and Abby Messina each collected two ground balls. Angelina Tinerella also recorded a ground ball in the win.

Prior to the game, the Bees honored Abby Messina and her family. Her mother Cherie is battling bile duct cancer. The team organized a fundraiser to help support the family. Anyone interested in donating or ordering a t-shirt for $20 should email Caitlin O'Brien at OBrienCaitlin@sau.edu.

St. Ambrose (3-1, 1-0 Heart) will visit the College of DuPage Wednesday.