Georgetown, Ky. - After putting away their makeshift shovels from clearing snow off the turf at Toyota Stadium, the Marian women's lacrosse team dialed in and orchestrated a dominant first half en route to closing a 14-9 win over No. 10 Ave Marian. Marian's first win of the year gives them a 1-2 record at the end of their second week of the season.

The Knights dominated through the first quarter on Friday, slashing the Gyrenes for six goals in the opening 15 minutes of play. Ella Grace Giedd scored the opening goal of the contest as Ruby Mason dished an assist to her fellow junior attacker in the third minute of play, and 75 seconds after the initial score Taleah Nool doubled the lead with an unassisted score. Giedd struck again with 8:20 to play in the first quarter as Lizzie Piercy connected with the junior, and after forcing a pair of Ave Maria turnovers, Anna Moore put away a goal to drive the lead to four. Marian would blitz Ave Maria with two more goals in the final three minutes of the quarter, as Ruby Mason delivered a man-advantage score, while Alex Dean scored on the free position attempt to cap the 6-0 period.

The hot start from the offense continued into the second quarter as Mason scored her second goal of the game in the first 75 seconds of the quarter, and after a series of stops on the defensive end Lizzie Piercy scored her first goal in the game to make it an 8-0 contest. Ave Maria would eventually bite back, as the Gyrenes scored a pair of quick goals midway through the quarter to draw back within six goals, scoring one of the two on a man-advantage. Mason shut down the run as she completed the hat trick with 4:46 to play in the half, but in the waning moments of the half the Floridian counterparts would strike one final time, sending the game to a 9-3 count at the break.

Marian used the intermission to regroup, and immediately put their new attack to the field, scoring twice in the first two minutes of the half. Taleah Nool scored the team's 10th goal of the match, while Rylie Boezeman delivered her first goal of the game to seal the 11-3 commanding lead. The defense of Marian would continue to haunt the Gyrenes as several possessions ended with turnovers, eventually leading to Marian's 12th and 13th goals of the game. Boezeman and Alex Dean were responsible for the two scores, pushing the lead into double figures.

Ave Maria would break their scoreless spell before the quarter ended and sent the game into the final period with Marian leading 13-4, with the score out of reach in favor of the Knights. In the final quarter, Marian took their foot off the pedal after dominating the first nine minutes of the quarter, allowing the Gyrenes to win the final period 5-1. Alex Dean would score Marian's goal in the fourth quarter, relaxing the Knights as they closed out their 14-9 victory.

The Knights had a balanced attack on Friday, scoring 14 goals on 24 shot attempts. Alex Dean and Ruby Mason each recorded a hat trick in the win, while Rylie Boezeman, Ella Grace Giedd, and Taleah Nool each scored twice. Esbeydi Montes led the team in ground balls with four, and Anna Moore forced a team-high four turnovers. Katherine Hirsch earned the win in goal for Marian, recording 12 saves in the win. 

Marian returns home on Tuesday, February 25, for their 2025 home-opener as the Knights play Georgetown College. First draw is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.

MUKnights.com: Your online source for Marian Athletics, tickets, multimedia, Knight merchandise, photos and more.