WLAX Wins Road Opener vs Youngstown State 18-11

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The Marquette women's lacrosse team (2-0, 0-0 BIG EAST) picked up a win in its road opener Friday afternoon, defeating Youngstown State 18-11.

In what was the first win in a road opener in program history, nine different Golden Eagles scored led by monster performances from senior attackers Mary Schumar and Shea Garcia. Garcia led all players with four goals, while Schumar went off for eight points on three goals and five assists. Her eight points rank tied for fifth in a single game in program history, while her five assists are tied for seventh.

Marquette got off to a strong start and never looked back, opening up a quick 3-0 lead just 3:13 into the contest with goals from Lydia Foust, Meg Bireley and Emma Soccodato. They went on to score eight more in the half, taking an 11-3 lead into the break.

After MU went up by as many as 11 goals late in the third quarter, the Penguins found rhythm to more than double their score with six fourth quarter goals.

The Golden Eagles once again dominated the draw, as Josie Kropp, Mary Blee and Soccodato recorded eight, six and five draw controls, respectively. After recording a program-record 25 draw controls last week against San Diego State, MU had 24 in this one while limiting YSU to just eight.

Along with hat tricks from Garcia and Schumar, Marquette's Hanna Bodner, Hannah Greving, Isabelle Casucci and Bireley each finished with a pair of goals.

MU forced 19 Penguin turnovers in the contest, including 15 in the first half.

In net, sophomore Brynna Nixon put together three stellar quarters, making nine saves while allowing just five goals in 45 minutes of action. Freshman Ava Sprinkel made her collegiate debut as she played the entirety of the fourth quarter.

Youngstown State was led by Ally Garrett, who finished with five points on four goals and an assist.

UP NEXT: The Golden Eagles remain in Ohio as they travel to face Cincinnati on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 11 a.m. (CT). Links for live stats and stream 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).