Gabriel sets MU points record in 16-12 win at Niagara

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, New York – Grace Gabriel became Marquette University's all-time women's lacrosse points leader and Lindsey Willcocks posted a career-high five goals as the Golden Eagles took down Niagara, 16-12, on Sunday afternoon at Niagara Field.

Gabriel entered Sunday's game two points behind Claire Costanza's program-record 169 career points and delivered four goals and an assist in the victory. The senior tied the program record with a goal at the 3:21 mark of the opening half and her goal to begin the second period with 24:56 remaining set a new standard. She now has 172 career points (150 goals, 22 assists) in 62 games.

With the score tied 5-5 midway through the opening stanza, the Golden Eagles (6-4) reeled off five straight goals to take a 10-5 lead before NU scored with five seconds remaining for a 10-6 margin at the half.

Willcocks, who was celebrating her 22nd birthday on Sunday, scored the game's first goal and had totaled a hat trick by the 11:51 mark of the first. Her fourth and fifth markers came in the final seven minutes of regulation after the Purple Eagles had rallied to pull within five.

Gabriel posted back-to-back goals out of the half and Caroline Steller scored with 19:15 remaining to give Marquette a seven-goal cushion, 13-6, it wouldn't surrender.

In total, MU held a 44-25 edge in shots and a 20-15 lead in ground balls, while the Purple Eagles won 17-of-30 draw controls. Marquette also forced NU into five failed clears and an 18-8 disparity in turnovers on the afternoon.

The Golden Eagles resume nonconference action by ending their season-long seven game road swing with a Thursday, March 21 game at Central Michigan.

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