Marquette Falls to Cincinnati, 22-18, Despite Late Rally

CINCINNATI – The Marquette University women's lacrosse team trailed by as many as nine and fought to bring it back within three, but eventually fell to Cincinnati, 22-18, on Friday afternoon.

The Golden Eagles (1-2) were led by graduate student Charlotte McGuire's five goals, just one shy of her career-high mark. Senior Grace Gabriel had four goals of her own alongside a single-game program-best 17 draw controls.

Freshman Shea Garcia collected four goals, a career-high, while senior Cate Soccodato dished out six assists, just one shy of the program record of seven which she set just last year. She also surpassed the 100 career point mark for eighth all-time in program history to secure 100 points.

Garcia rolled the crease to put one in the back of the net to even things at 3-3 with 17:08 remaining in the first half, but the Bearcats rattled off seven goals in eight minutes to take the lead it would never lose. McGuire answered with a pair of goals to bring Marquette to five, but Cincinnati kept rolling to take a 12-5 lead into the break.

Midway through the second half saw a spark for the Golden Eagles. Between the 13:17 and 10:55 marks, Marquette rattled off five straight goals to bring them within three of the Bearcats. However, a trio of Cincinnati goals to end the game gave Marquette its first road loss of the season.

"We just came out pretty slow in the first half, and let them take the tempo of the game," head coach Meredith Black said. "We did have a nice push in the second half to tighten the gap, but it was just too much for us to close the gap by the end of the game."

Sophomore Sophia Leva tallied a team-high two saves in the goal for Marquette. Winning keeper, UC's Guiliana Durso, collected nine saves.

Cincinnati (2-1) was led by a trio of players account for 15 of the team's goals.

Marquette returns to action in Milwaukee on Sunday at 1 p.m. Central time against Detroit Mercy.