Talk about not letting up.

The Mary Washington College men's lacrosse team put a chokehold on Catholic early yesterday, then continued to hold its firm grip even after emptying its bench in the first round of the Capital Athletic Conference tournament.

The second-seeded Eagles, who were undefeated in conference play until last Thursday's loss against top-seeded Salisbury, won yesterday's contest at the Battleground Complex with ease 18-5.

Attacker Chris Doddridge was the Eagles' ringleader, scoring six goals in the easy win.

The junior accounted for five of his team's first nine goals, netting a hat trick during a 1-minute span to push the Eagles's 6-1 lead to a commanding 9-1 advantage early in the second quarter.

"[Catholic] was really ball-watching a lot," said Doddridge, a West Springfield High School graduate who is now second on Mary Washington's squad with 23 goals this season. "I felt like I could get in the passing lane and get good passes for shots,"

Sophomore attacker Mark Fiore, a transfer from Guilford College, added four assists yesterday to remain the Eagles' leading points scorer with 52.

The victory advanced Mary Washington (9-5) to the CAC semifinals on Thursday. The Eagles will keep homefield advantage and play host to third-seeded St. Mary's--a 15-2 winner over six-seeded York yesterday. The game is slated for 4 p.m.

The bottom of the CAC standings has been easy pickings this season--and it wasn't much different yesterday. Catholic and York have only one conference win between the two of them, making Thursday's game likely a much tougher challenge for both MWC and St. Mary's.

The Eagles beat St. Mary's 9-8 on April 2 at home, surviving a late-game surge in which St. Mary's outscored MWC 3-1 in the fourth quarter. St. Mary's only other CAC loss was to Salisbury.

Yesterday, MWC had a chance to prepare and rest many of its players for Thursday's semifinals. Nine Eagles scored in the quarterfinal contest.

Senior Catesby Beck scored three goals, and junior Matt Wiles and freshman Greg Rose each scored a pair of goals.

Rose's tallies were part of a string of four straight goals by freshmen that finished off the Eagles' scoring. His first goal came within two minutes of his joining the game.

"As a freshman, you're always looking to do something when you're out there," Rose said. "It gives the upperclassmen a chance to see the other side and they can just cheer you on."

Mary Washington 18, Catholic 5

Goals: Catholic--Eric Slagle 2, Conor Kelly 2, Justin Kelly. MWC--Chris Doddridge 6, Catesby Beck 3, Matt Wiles 2, Greg Rose 2, Lee Thompson, Adam Castellani, Dave Justen, Dave Morris, Drew Hebble. Assists: Catholic--Tom Alexander 2. MWC--Mark Fiore 4, Ryan Brown, Adam Castellani, Lee Thompson, Ryan Zsdanowicz. Saves: Catholic--12 (Andrew Couden), MWC--10 (Mike D'Eredita 7, Tim Boon 3).