(MARQUETTE COMMUNICATIONS) MILWAUKEE – The Marquette University women’s lacrosse team (9-5, 3-2 BIG EAST) defeated Butler (3-12, 0-5 BIG EAST), 20-6 on senior day Saturday afternoon at Valley Fields. With the win, Marquette clinched their spot in the 2026 BIG EAST Women’s Lacrosse Tournament, their first appearance since 2023.
Senior Tess Osburn led Marquette with five goals and an assist, while Dani Serrano added two goals and seven assists. Hanna Bodner finished with three goals and six draw controls, while Sarah Beth Burns contributed two goals and an assist and Ella Mautz added a goal and an assist as Marquette scored 20 goals for the second time this season.
Marquette outshot Butler 41-17 and held a 23-16 advantage in ground balls while committing just 10 turnovers. Jillian Howell earned the win in goal after allowing three goals in the first half, while Mikayla Yang and Zoey Gottleib combined for three saves over the final 30 minutes.
Marquette jumped out early and never trailed, scoring the first four goals of the afternoon in a span of just over seven minutes. Serrano opened the scoring with an unassisted goal at the 14:20 mark before Osburn tallied her first of the day just under four minutes later. Eileen Dooley and Osburn added back-to-back goals to give the Golden Eagles a 4-0 lead midway through the opening quarter.
Butler responded with two free-position goals just over a minute apart to cut the deficit to 4-2, but Marquette closed the period strong. Bodner and Osburn each found the net, with Osburn completing her first-quarter hat trick as Marquette carried a 6-3 advantage into the second quarter.
The Golden Eagles continued to control the tempo in the second period, scoring six unanswered goals to stretch the lead to nine. Mautz scored on a man-up opportunity early in the quarter, while Burns, Isabelle Casucci and Bodner added goals during a decisive run. Marquette took a commanding 12-3 lead into halftime after Mckenna Farrell scored with 35 seconds remaining in the half.
Osburn netted her fourth goal of the contest just 50 seconds into the third quarter, sparking a five-goal frame for the Golden Eagles. Burns and Bodner each added goals during the period as Marquette extended its lead to 16-5 heading into the final quarter.
Julia Evens opened the scoring in the fourth quarter off an assist from Serrano before Adrianna Commodari and Emily Couri added goals to push the lead to 19-6. Riley Schultz capped the scoring at the 2:25 mark, sealing the 20-6 victory.
UP NEXT
Marquette will head east for the BIG EAST and regular-season finale next Saturday, April 25, at UConn at 10:30 a.m. CT.
MEN
The Marquette University men’s lacrosse team (6–6, 2-2 BIG EAST) fell in overtime to Villanova (6–6, 3–1 BIG EAST), 16–15, on Senior Day at Valley Fields.
Marquette honored its senior class prior to the game and battled throughout a tightly contested matchup that featured multiple lead changes and strong defensive play on both sides. Despite a late push to force overtime, the Golden Eagles were unable to capitalize in the extra period.
The Golden Eagles were led offensively by Nolan Rappis, who paced the team with five points on five goals. Carsen Brandt added four points, while Ethan Salvia and Beau Westphal each contributed three-point efforts. In goal, Lucas Lawas anchored the defense with 13 saves.
Villanova struck first, but Marquette responded quickly to keep the game even through the opening quarter. The two teams traded goals throughout the first half, with the Golden Eagles taking a 9–7 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, Marquette found a rhythm offensively and maintained its edge, carrying a narrow lead into the final period. Villanova answered in the fourth, capitalizing on key possessions to even the score and force overtime.
In the extra period, Villanova converted on its first possession to secure the 12–11 victory.
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