INDIANAPOLIS - In a high-stakes contest Thursday night in the WHAC Semifinals, the Marian women's lacrosse came up short against No. 8 Indiana Tech, falling 14-13. Marian's season comes to an untimely end following the loss, ending the year with a 10-5 overall record.

The Knights wasted little time throwing the first punch Thursday, scoring 40 seconds into the game as Esbeydi Montes found the back of the net after taking a pass from Ella Grace Giedd. Giedd doubled the lead 64 seconds later with a man-advantage score to make it a 2-0 game, setting up Marian's defense who made things difficult for Indiana Tech. The Warriors saw two shots get smothered by Katherine Hirsch after falling behind 2-0, but eventually broke their scoreless start at the 7:59 mark with a Da'Zah Regusters goal. Indiana Tech fired in another score three minutes later to level the score, but Marian would prove the stronger offense as the quarter came to its conclusion. Giedd and Ruby Mason each scored in the final two minutes, overcoming a goal from Indiana Tech to secure a 4-3 lead after one period.

Taleah Nool scored early in the second quarter to push Marian on top 5-3, but it wouldn't be enough to keep Indiana Tech down. The Warriors scored a pair of goals within 13 seconds of one another to tie the game with 9:02 remaining, and continued their scoring run with another two scores, taking a 7-5 lead. Marian would try to answer as Giedd had a pair of shots saved by Kat Hoff, however the junior came up empty on her pair of attempts. With 1:12 remaining before the break, the Knights got a goal from Ruby Mason, who made the score 7-6. Indiana Tech would take the last series of shot attempts entering halftime, getting a goal with 34 seconds remaining to extend their lead back to two goals.

Marian trailed 8-6 at the intermission.

After making adjustments during the break, the Knights came out strong in the third quarter, as Alex Dean scored under a minute into the period to cut the deficit to one. Ruby Mason scored with 8:54 to play in the quarter to tie the game as Marian continued their fight, however the goal would be answered just over two minutes later by the Warrior's Noelle Ricci. Marian's defense kept them in the game by forcing a pair of turnovers over the final five minutes of the half, turning the effort into a goal in the closing seconds as Giedd scored on a late free position shot to tie the contest at nine goals. 

Similar to Marian's starts in the first and third quarters, Indiana Tech had a quick start in the final period, scoring 50 seconds into play to take a one-score lead. The Warriors would push their lead to two with 12:24 remaining, but the Knights were able to counter with a goal from Mason 66 seconds later. Indiana Tech would push back in front by two goals with 7:55 remaining, but on the ensuing draw Marian was able to find a quick goal, with Mason assisting on a goal from Giedd. Trailing 12-11, the Knights would win the following draw, and convert as Delaney Koles recovered a missed shot by Giedd, finding her junior teammate seconds later to even the game at 12. 

Tied up with 6:45 remaining, Indiana Tech put the final pressure on Marian, taking the next two goals to reclaim their advantage. Marian called for a timeout with 2:47 to play to regroup, and executed as Alex Dean won the next draw control, setting up Giedd to once again make it a one-score affair. The Knights' defensive pressure kept them in the game after cutting the lead to one, as they forced a late turnover to get one final chance on the goal. In the waning seconds, Giedd and Alex Dean each had shots on goal, but were denied by Koff, and as the clock ticked down, a turnover would seal their fate, as the Knights fell 14-13.

The Knights saw a strong performance in goal from Katherine Hirsch, as the senior keeper made 13 saves in the defeat. Giedd scored six goals and had three assists, taking 14 shots on the night. Mason scored four goals and had two assists while winning seven draw controls, and the trio of Dean, Nool, and Montes each scored once. Alex Dean caused four turnovers in the game, and Jada Taylor tied for the team lead in ground ball recoveries. 

Marian ends their season with a 10-5 overall record, winners of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Regular Season for the first time in program history.

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