Box Score Marietta, Ga. - The Marian women's lacrosse team got back into the win column on Saturday morning, as the Knights won a high-scoring affair against Life University by a 16-14 count. Marian's win evens their record at 3-3 on the year as they enter their final non-conference bout of the season.

The Knights won the opening quarter to open Saturday's game, but it came with adversity as Life responded to Alex Dean's game-opening with three unanswered scores. Ella Grace Giedd broke up the run at the 6:02 mark with her first goal of the day, but the Running Eagles responded quickly with a strike from Hannah Leon. Marian stayed aggressive despite the early 4-2 deficit, ending the quarter on a strong pace with three unanswered goals of their own. Alex Dean netted her second score with 2:39 to play in the quarter, and in the final minute the Knights added two scores separated by eight seconds, as Ruby Mason and Giedd capped the period with the 5-4 advantage.

Life University came out strong after the quarter change, lighting the board twice with a pair of goals to reclaim the lead. The Knights matched with two unanswered goals of their own, getting scores from Mason and and Delaney Koles to capture another share of the lead. The two sides would trade goals with Dean's third score of the game putting Marian in front 8-7, however the Running Eagles had one more threat in the final two minutes. Goals scored by Hannah Leon and Alyssa Curto in the waning moments of the first half gave Eagles a lead entering the break, as they claimed a 9-8 edge over Marian.

After their halftime adjustments, Marian wasted little time scoring the equalizer as Ella Grace Giedd again struck on an unassisted goal, but holes in the defense allowed the Eagles to once again go on top. Life scored two goals within 50 seconds, both from Jessenia Santiago, jumping back on top 11-9. Lizzie Piercy directed the Knights back in right direction as she scored with 10:19 to go to cut the difference to one, and with 3:48 remaining in the third quarter Giedd scored a man-advantage goal to level the score 11-11. Marian aimed to end the quarter with a lead, however a turnover in the final 90 seconds proved costly, as Hannah Leon cashed in another goal to give the home team a 12-11 lead at the end of three periods.

Trailing entering the final period, Marian's offense stepped up with a lightning goal from Jada Taylor, tying things up just 31 seconds into the quarter. Life would respond with a goal at the 8:42 mark to take a 13-12 lead, but Marian answered in a big way, rattling off three unanswered goals to take control of the game. Ruby Mason scored the first of the three goals with 7:47 to play to tie the game, and with 6:02 remaining Delaney Koles scored the go-ahead score as Lizzie Piercy assisted on the play. The Knights got insurance just 31 seconds after the score from Koles, as Giedd rattled the cage to take a two-goal advantage.

Marian led 15-13 after the goal from Giedd, finishing out the final five minutes strong as Anna Moore matched a late Life goal to seal the win. Moore's goal with 1:41 to play capped the scoring in the 16-14 victory.

Giedd had a dominant game offensively, scoring five goals while adding two assists in her seven-point outing. Giedd also caused two turnovers and recovered a pair of ground balls. Alex Dean and Ruby Mason each recorded hat tricks in the win, while Koles scored twice. Dean and Mason each led the Knights with seven draw controls each, and Anna Moore and Olivia Dean each led with three caused turnovers. Katherine Hirsch earned the win in goal, making nine saves in the victory. 

Marian will play again on Saturday, March 15 at 11:00 a.m., as they host University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy at Ascension St. Vincent Field. 

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