(MARQUETTE COMMUNICATIONS) MILWAUKEE – The Marquette University women’s lacrosse team (8-5, 2-2 BIG EAST) scored eight times in the second quarter and pulled away for a 16-9 victory over No. 24 Villanova (8-4, 2-1 BIG EAST) in BIG EAST women’s lacrosse action Saturday afternoon at Valley Fields Dome.
Hanna Bodner led the Golden Eagles with four goals and one assist, while Riley Jenkins added four goals, including a man-advantage tally. Dani Serrano finished with two goals and four assists, and Tess Osburn contributed two goals and one assist. Isabelle Casucci scored twice and added an assist, and Ella Mautz chipped in two goals as Marquette had eight different goal scorers. Goalie Jillian Howell earned the win with 11 saves.
Villanova struck first when Mary Moore scored unassisted at the 10:18 mark of the opening quarter, but Marquette answered quickly. Bodner tied the game just 44 seconds later and then gave the Golden Eagles the lead with another score at 6:26. After the Wildcats evened it at 2-2, Serrano put Marquette back in front late in the opening period for a 3-2 lead.
The Golden Eagles broke the game open in the second quarter, outscoring Villanova 8-2. Jenkins opened the frame with a man-up goal less than a minute in, and Marquette followed with goals from Mautz, Sarah Beth Burns and Serrano to stretch the advantage. Osburn scored twice in a 76-second span, and Bodner capped the surge with a free-position goal with three seconds remaining to give Marquette an 11-4 halftime lead.
Villanova showed some fight coming out of the break, with Moore and Jillian Vaught scoring early in the third quarter to cut into the margin. Marquette responded with goals from Bodner and Jenkins, with Jenkins scoring twice in the period to maintain control. The Golden Eagles led 14-7 heading into the fourth.
In the final quarter, the Wildcats traded goals with Marquette early before Casucci scored twice in the final six minutes to seal the win. Villanova added a late goal, but the outcome was no longer in doubt, as MU secured their first ranked win since 2023, 16-9.
UP NEXT
Marquette will be off next weke before hosting Butler for senior day on Saturday, April 18. First draw is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CT outdoors at Valley Fields, with ESPN+ featuring the broadcast.
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