WLAX Readies for Senior Day Showdown with Butler

Saturday, April 18

Milwaukee, WI

2 P.M. CT

Marquette University

Butler

Buy Tickets

Marquette University women's lacrosse takes on #19 Denver at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium in Denver, Colorado on April 1, 2026. Photo by Matthew Haufe/Marquette Athletics.

Photo by: Marquette Athletics

4/16/2026 11:51:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse

Game Notes (PDF)Watch (ESPN+)Live Stats Tickets

Golden Eagles set to honor eight seniors prior to game in first outdoor contest at home since 2021.

By: Communications

The Marquette University women's lacrosse team (8-5, 2-2 BIG EAST) wraps their home schedule this Saturday, celebrating senior day by hosting Butler (3-11, 0-4 BIG EAST). First draw is set for 2 p.m. CT from the outdoor grass field at Valley Fields, with ESPN+ featuring the broadcast.

LAST TIME OUT
Marquette used an explosive eight‑goal second quarter to earn a 16–9 win over No. 24 Villanova on April 4 at Valley Fields. Hanna Bodner posted four goals and an assist, while Riley Jenkins added four goals, including a man‑advantage score, as eight different Golden Eagles found the net. Dani Serrano contributed two goals and four assists, Tess Osburn chipped in two goals and an assist, and goalkeeper Jillian Howell finished with 11 saves as Marquette secured its first ranked win since 2023.

HISTORY VS. BUTLER
Marquette holds a 9-0 all‑time advantage against Butler in a series that dates back to 2017, with all nine meetings coming during BIG EAST play. The Golden Eagles have won every matchup by at least six goals, including multiple road victories in Indianapolis and five wins at Valley Fields. Marquette took the most recent meeting 16-5 at Butler in 2025, while last season's matchup resulted in a 20-12 home win, as MU has consistently combined offensive balance and defensive pressure to control the series.

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Butler enters the matchup at 3-11 overall and 0-4 in BIG EAST play. The Bulldogs average 9.86 goals per game and allow 13.93, but have been efficient in transition, clearing at an 88.5 percent rate, which ranks top three in the BIG EAST. Offensively, Butler is led by Elise Latham, who has a team‑high 33 goals, and Riley Ryan with 19 goals and 18 assists, while goalkeeper Samantha Wilson ranks top 20 nationally with 124 saves and averages 8.86 saves per game despite facing heavy shot volume.

SENIOR DAY CELEBRATIONS
Marquette will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday, honoring Tess Osburn, Maeve Dooley, Sofia Santana, Hanna Bodner, Taylor Kotschevar, Isabelle Casucci, Adrianna Commodari and Sayla Lotysz for their impact on the program. The senior class has played a key role in Marquette's growth in the BIG EAST, contributing across every area of the field through scoring, possession, defensive pressure and leadership, while helping shape the culture of the program on and off the field.

HIGH-OCTANE, EFFICIENT OFFENSE
Marquette ranks No. 28 nationally and No. 2 in the BIG EAST in scoring offense (13.46 goals per game) while also sitting No. 29 nationally in points per game (20.00). MU has scored at least 13 goals in nine of its 13 games, showcasing consistency across multiple attacking groups. Marquette also ranks No. 18 nationally in shot percentage (.469), relying on shot quality rather than volume. MU has been equally sharp on free positions, converting 50.0 percent, which ranks No. 28 nationally and No. 3 in the conference.

BALL PRESSURE DEFINES DEFENSE
Marquette's defensive identity is built on pressure, ranking No. 23 nationally and No. 1 in the BIG EAST in caused turnovers per game (10.77). The Golden Eagles have forced 140 turnovers this season, regularly turning defensive stops into transition opportunities.

DEFENSIVE TRIO DOMINANCE
Defensively, the trio of Sofia Santana, Mary Velner and Taylor Kotschevar has fueled Marquette's pressure style. Santana leads the way with 24 caused turnovers, Velner follows with 23, and Kotschevar adds 13, forming the backbone of a unit that ranks atop the BIG EAST in disruption.

BODNER'S TWO-WAY IMPACT
Hanna Bodner remains one of Marquette's most influential all‑around players, shaping games through possession, physical midfield play and defensive pressure. She leads the Golden Eagles with 60 draw controls, ranking No. 61 nationally and No. 2 in the BIG EAST at 4.62 per game, helping Marquette rank among the league's top teams at the circle. Bodner has paired that possession control with strong offensive production, scoring 29 goals and 36 points, while also contributing defensively with 12 caused turnovers and 24 ground balls. Her ability to impact all three phases has allowed MU to dictate tempo and maintain balance throughout BIG EAST play.

OSBURN SETS THE STANDARD
Tess Osburn continues to define Marquette's attack as its most consistent scoring threat and one of the league's top finishers. She leads the Golden Eagles with 35 goals, ranking No. 78 nationally and No. 4 in the BIG EAST, and averages 2.69 goals per game. Osburn has been particularly impactful on special teams, pacing MU with eight man‑up goals, and has added 13 assists to remain a focal point in Marquette's ball‑movement offense. She has recorded at least one point in every game this season, providing steady production and leadership at the center of the attack.

SERRANO'S BREAKOUT CAMPAIGN
Freshman Dani Serrano has emerged as one of the most productive newcomers in the nation. Serrano leads the BIG EAST and ranks No. 32 nationally with 29 assists, while her 2.23 assists per game also pace the conference. She is Marquette's top point producer with 56 points, ranking No. 53 nationally, and continues to be the engine behind MU's motion‑based offense.

HOWELL ANCHORS THE BACK LINE
Jillian Howell continues to provide stability in goal, handling one of the conference's heavier shot loads while anchoring a defense built on pressure. Howell ranks top‑80 nationally and top‑five in the BIG EAST with a .413 save percentage, and has totaled 74 saves on the season while posting a 12.30 goals‑against average. She is coming off an 11‑save performance against Villanova, matching her season high, and has consistently delivered timely stops that allow Marquette to turn defensive stands into transition opportunities as conference play continues.