MISHAWAKA, Ind. - For the first time in program history, the Marian women's lacrosse team has completed an outright conference championship, as the Knights finished off their regular season championship in the WHAC following the 15-3 win over Bethel University on Saturday morning. Marian's commanding victory capped the third regular season title in program history, and improved the team to 11-3 overall after finishing the WHAC slate 9-1.
Bethel scored the first goal of the first and second quarters on Saturday morning, but it would not be enough to hold down Marian, as the Knights ripped five goals in each period.
Ella Grace Giedd answered Bethel's first-minute goal in the fourth minute of the game, starting a chain of scores from
Alex Dean,
Ruby Mason, and
Esbeydi Montes. Dean scored twice in the 5-0 run, helping Marian take a 5-1 lead into the second quarter.
After yielding a goal in the opening moments of the second, the Knights put their foot down, scoring five straight goals to enter halftime.
Esbeydi Montes put the team on top 6-2 with the first of the five scores, and
Taleah Nool followed with two goals to increase the lead to six.
Skyler O'Leary and
Allyson Cissell ended the first half with goals, taking the Knights in front 10-2.
Nool and O'Leary ignited the running clock as they each ripped a goal in the first five minutes, extending the lead to 10 goals.
Alex Dean and
Delaney Koles scored before the end of the third quarter to give Marian a 14-3 lead, and in the final quarter, Bethel traded a goal with Nool to end the game in favor of the Knights 15-3.
Taleah Nool led the Knights in goals with four, while
Alex Dean had a hat trick in the win.
Skyler O'Leary and
Esbeydi Montes each scored twice in the win. In goal,
Aniyah Jones made five saves, allowing just three goals in the win.
Marian will rematch with Madonna or Bethel in the WHAC Semifinals on Thursday, April 30. The semifinal game will begin at 6:00 p.m. at Ascension St. Vincent Field.
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