LOWELL, Mass. - Enduring unfavorable weather conditions through consistent rainfall and cold weather couldn't stop the California women's lacrosse team as the Golden Bears defeated UMass-Lowell, 9-5, Sunday afternoon on the UMass-Lowell campus. 

Cal improved to 3-2 on the year - first time since 2013 - after Kirsten Swanson and Lauren Hickman each netted hat tricks to propel the Cal offense. It was Swanson's third hat trick this season while it was the first of Hickman's career. 

In addition to the six goals combined from Hickman and Swanson, Parker Garrett, Marisa Kuberra and Kate Mattimore also scored for the Bears. 

With the weather causing some turnovers early in the first half and limiting scoring chances, the first goal of the game didn't come until halfway through the first half when Garrett tucked one past the River Hawks' goalie to put the Bears up, 1-0.

After UMass-Lowell tied the game five minutes later, Cal got its offense going, scoring three times to end the half to gain momentum going into the break. Two of the three goals came from Swanson, while Hickman garnered her first. 

Hickman tallied her second score of the game at the outset of the second half. After the River Hawks got two back, Hickman completed her hat trick to put the Bears up, 6-3. Cal never relinquished control of the game for the duration.  

Meredith Haggerty and Elizabeth Koehler helped out on the defensive end, scooping up five draws each, while Kendall Swenson and Jenny Wilkens paced the Bears in ground balls with four. Haggerty also collected three ground balls and caused a turnover. 

With her four ground balls today, Wilkens moved up to sixth all-time in school history in ground balls with 101. 

The Bears have next week off before returning to Berkeley for their next contest on Monday, March 5, at 5 p.m. against Robert Morris.