WLAX Falls to Richmond in NCAA Championship First Round

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The No. 22 Marquette women's lacrosse team (15-4, 5-1 BIG EAST) fell in the opening round of the NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Championship Friday afternoon at Dorrance Field, falling to No. 17 Richmond, 18-8.

The Golden Eagles saw their historic 2023 campaign come to a close with the loss, a season which included a program-record number of wins and the team's first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. Marquette concludes the year 15-4 overall after going 5-1 in BIG EAST play to finish second in the conference.

After a slow start, Marquette was tasked with fighting from behind for the majority of the contest. MU scored the game's opening goal, but then allowed five-straight by the Spiders and struggled to gain control throughout the first half.

MU matched its first-half scoring output of three goals in the third quarter, but was unable to keep pace down the final stretch.

Senior attacker Shea Garcia, the second-leading scorer in MU program history, led the team's offensive efforts in her final game as a Golden Eagle with five goals in the outing, three of which came on assists from senior midfielder Lydia Foust. She concludes her career with 170 goals. Foust, Leigh Steiner and Tess Osburn finished with one goal apiece.

Brynna Nixon played all 60 minutes in net for Marquette, finishing the game with six saves and a .250 save percentage.

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).