INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian women's lacrosse team put up a strong offensive game against Siena Heights as they began their postseason, winning the WHAC Tournament Quarterfinals by a 16-10 final score. Marian's win advances them to the semifinals, as they improve to 9-5 on the year. 

The Knights wasted little time scoring Tuesday night, pouring in a goal 53 seconds into the game as Katelynn Gray netted the opening goal of the contest. Siena Heights would chime back as they took advantage of an own goal, but the Knights had an answer with an Ella Grace Giedd Goal, as she scored off a caused turnover by Sarah Travis. The Saints would level the score once more two minutes after Giedd's first goal of the game, but the sophomore had an answer to put Marian in the lead for good. Katie Murphy and Katelynn Gray would score before the opening quarter's conclusion, giving Marian a 5-2 lead after 15 minutes.

Katie Murphy kept Marian's scoring run going into the second quarter, as the graduate attacker scored a man-advantage goal less than five minutes into the period. Siena Heights would score twice in the second quarter to break up Marian's offense, but the Knights kept in control, as Delaney Koles and Giedd put away scores sandwiched by the Saints, holding the score at 8-4. Katherine Hirsch made two of her game-high eight saves in the final seven minutes of the first half, as the keeper and her defense stymied their opposition's attack.

The offense for Marian again took center stage in the third quarter, as the Knights out-scored the Saints by a 5-2 clip. Siena Heights' Jenna Allie would score the first goal of the quarter 51 seconds into play, but a score from Ashlynn Gray ignited Marian, as the team scored three goals in 72 seconds. Katie Murphy and Ruby Mason put away goals in the run, helping Marian to an 11-5 lead. Marian did yield a second goal in the quarter to Catherine Androwski, but scores from Giedd and Murphy in the final 2:02 gave Marian a controlling 13-6 lead after three periods.

In the fourth quarter Marian was out-scored by Siena Heights 4-3, with the Saints scoring three unanswered goals in a stretch of four minutes to make the game closer on the board. Katelynn Gray and Ruby Mason scored in the first four minutes of the period to cap the team's 4-0 run that began in the final moments of the third, and Ella Grace Giedd added a late goal to halt Siena Heights momentum. Marian would close the game on top 16-10, earning their WHAC Tournament Quarterfinal win.

Offensively, Giedd led the Knights with five goals, totaling seven points as she added a pair of assists. Murphy scored four goals, and Katelynn Gray netted a pair with one assist. Mason scored twice, and Ashlynn Gray had one goal with two assists, winning eight draw controls. Giedd and Sarah Travis each had three caused turnovers and ground balls on the defensive end, with Rylie Bozeman and Alex Dean each causing two turnovers. 

In between the sticks, Katherine Hirsch earned her eighth win of the season, making eight saves in the victory for Marian.

Marian will take on Indiana Tech on Thursday afternoon, re-matching with the Warriors in Fort Wayne. Opening draw is slated for 5:00 p.m.

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