WLAX Completes Weekend Sweep with Win Over Niagara

MILWAUKEE – The Marquette University women's lacrosse team moved to 3-0 at home this season with a 16-6 victory over Niagara on Sunday afternoon at Valley Fields.

Junior Caroline Peterson led the Golden Eagles with four goals while Caroline Steller, Lydia Foust and Hannah Greving each recorded hat tricks to pace MU's impressive offensive output.

"We came out strong and the team showed great resilience today," MU head coach Meredith Black said. "We've had different people step up in different moments both offensively and defensively and it's been outstanding. When we're winning games it's going to be a balanced team effort, and that's what we had today."

The Golden Eagles scored the first eight goals of the game and refused to let up, extending their lead to as many as 14 and never letting Niagara get closer than seven goals the rest of the way.

Steller led the team with five points (three goals, two assists) while Megan Menzuber led the team with three assists. Like Peterson, Foust and Greving set single-game career highs in goals and recorded their first-ever hat tricks.

"This was such a team win," Peterson said. "We felt connected all over the field, from defense to offense, and we needed everyone today. It was just a great feeling to come away with two wins this weekend."

For the fifth straight game, MU won the draw control battle, this time earning 19 of the 24 draws. Ellie Henry tallied a new career-best with nine while Emily Cooper had seven.

Sophia Leva got the start in net today and had another stellar outing, saving six shots and only allowing one goal in the 30 minutes she played. Senior defender Erin Dowdle led a strong defensive effort, picking up four ground balls and causing a turnover.

For the Purple Eagles, midfielder Shea Swartwout scored four of their six goals while two other players added one apiece.

The Golden Eagles were able to empty out the bench today as 35 players participated in the game.

With the win, MU moved to 15-4 in its last 19 games at Valley Fields.

UP NEXT:
Marquette heads on a two-game road trip out west at Arizona State next week. The Golden Eagles play ASU on Thursday, Feb. 27 and Fresno State on Saturday, Feb. 29.

Keep up with the Marquette women's lacrosse program all season long through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteWLax) and Instagram (@MarquetteWLax) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteWLax).