WLAX wins BIG EAST home opener over Villanova, 19-14

MILWAUKEE — The Marquette women's lacrosse team (6-7, 1-1 BIG EAST) posted a 19-14 home victory against Villanova on Saturday afternoon at Valley Fields.

"I'm really proud of our team," said Marquette head coach Meredith Black. "We've been working really hard and the girls are so committed. This was a team effort. It took a lot of people scoring, defense making stops. Every single person plays such an important role on our team in winning games. We don't do it as individuals, we do it as 37 people on this team."

In a game which Marquette led from start to finish, the first quarter was all Golden Eagles as they started the contest on a 5-0 run. MU went on to win the first quarter 7-2 at the break, with first-year attacker Meg Bireley leading the way with a three-point quarter on two goals and one assist. She would go on to record a career-high five points in the contest, scoring a career-best four goals to go along with an assist. The Wildcats pushed back in the second quarter but Marquette kept the visitors at bay to take a 12-6 lead into the half.

The Marquette defense held strong in the third quarter, allowing just one goal as the Golden Eagles scored three of their own. Villanova made a late push in the final quarter with six goals, but Marquette was able to hold on to secure its first BIG EAST win of the season.

Along with securing the win, a pair of MU players hit major career milestones in the contest. Senior midfielder Lydia Foust tallied her 100th point in a Marquette jersey with a goal early in the first quarter, while senior attacker Shea Garcia, who had three goals and two assists, moved into Marquette's top-5 in both career goals and career points. She now ranks fourth in scoring with 106 career goals and fifth in career points with 144.

It was a full team effort for Marquette, as four different players tallied hat tricks on the afternoon. Bireley and graduate attacker Kyra LaMotte each found the back of the net four times, while Garcia and junior midfielder Emma Soccodato scored three goals apiece. and Kyra Lamotte.

In the net, graduate goalie Amanda Rumsey played all 60 minutes, recording six saves while facing 20 shots..

Villanova (4-9, 0-2 BIG EAST) was led by Sami Carey, who tallied five points on two goals and three assists.

UP NEXT: The Golden Eagles will take on Butler at home on Saturday, April 16 at Valley Fields at Noon CT. Links to a stream and live stats will be available on GoMarquette.com.

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).