INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian women's lacrosse team suffered a crushing blow on Wednesday night at St. Vincent Field as their five-game winning streak came to an end, as No. 10 Aquinas outlasted the Knights in a 16-14 duel. Marian's loss is their first in WHAC competition, as they fall to 8-3 overall and 3-1 in WHAC play.

Marian blitzed Aquinas early, scoring on their second possession of the game with Madeline Dumke rattling the back of the cage for the opening goal of the game. The Knights played strong defense after the goal forcing a pair of turnovers and getting a save in goal from Katherine Hirsch, but the keeper was unable to deny the second shot as Shaylin Rings tied the game on a free position shot. 

The Knights responded quickly with a Grace Martin goal, setting up a strong of scores as Marian pounced on an opportunity with Madison Ash scoring on a give and go from Ruby Mason. Mason and Ella Grace Giedd would score the next two goals of the game as the home team ran their total to five. Aquinas would chip away with two goals around an Ashlynn Gray score, to make it a 6-3 game, and would go on to finish the quarter with back to back goals, inching within one after the high-scoring quarter.

Leading 6-5 after 15 minutes, Marian needed just 59 seconds to vault their lead to two goals once again, as Katelynn Gray netted her first score after winning the opening draw of the quarter. The Saints would answer the goal with two of their own in the next two minutes to tie the game, but the Knights prevented a change in the lead, as their defense forced a pair of turnovers, working their offense to find Giedd for her second goal, granting an 8-7 lead. Mason scored with 9:08 to play in the second quarter pushing Marian's lead to two scores. The two-goal lead was backed by strong defensive work as the Knights held the Saints off the board for five minutes, moving back to a three-goal lead with 4:03 remaining after Ash. Gray scored her second goal of the game. 

In the final 2:30 of the first half, Marian's strong defensive display fell apart, as the Saints scored three consecutive goals on the Knights, tying the game at 10-10 with 29 seconds to play before halftime. Marian would get one run run as Kate. Gray caused a late turnover, finding a streaking Mason for a shot opportunity, but the freshman missed just wide of the frame, sending the game to halftime tied at 10 goals each.

Aquinas recovered during the halftime break and came out strong in the third quarter, forcing three early Marian turnovers before taking an 11-10 lead on a shot from Stella Bottum. The score would stay a one goal difference after the Saints goal, as both teams struggled to keep possession of the ball. Aquinas was finally able to string together pass attempts within their offense, breaking the game's drought of 6:01 with a Cierra Davis man-advantage goal. Aquinas would continue their run over the next four minutes adding three goals to take a 15-10 lead going into the fourth quarter.

The Knights were able to snap their drought and get on the board with Giedd scoring 94 seconds into the fourth quarter. Aquinas would answer with a goal from Davis just two minutes later to reclaim a five-goal advantage, but Marian continued to fight as Ash and Mason scored within 30 seconds of each other as the clock ticked under five minutes to play. Giedd would score with 1:48 remaining as Marian kept fighting to tie, but after failing to win the ensuing draw control, the Saints were able to bleed the majority of the remaining 108 seconds, closing the game with a final score of 16-14. 

Marian's offense was balanced with seven players scoring at least one goal, with Giedd leading the team with four in the game. Mason recorded a hat trick and added an assist, while both Kate. Gray and Giedd each had a pair of helpers. Kate. Gray led Marian with nine draw controls and four caused turnovers in the loss. 

Grace Coyne suffered the loss in cage for the Knights, logging second half action as she allowed six goals while making six saves. Hirsch suffered a no-decision, making five saves while allowing 10 goals in the first half.

Marian will look to rebound on Saturday at 11 a.m. as they welcome Indiana Tech to St. Vincent Field. The game will be aired on the ISC Sports Network, and the Marian senior day will take place prior to the start of competition. 

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