MARIETTA, Ga. ---- The No. 9 nationally ranked Life University women's lacrosse team outlasted (RV) Ave Maria 16-13 in the Mid-South Conference opener at home Saturday night.
 
NOTES
• Life U improved to 2-1 (1-0) on the year with the MSC opening win for the second consecutive season.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMERS 
• Brianna Freeman led the Running Eagles with six goals and a pair of assists in the win.
• Tina Ricci had quite the stat line with eight draw controls, six ground balls, four assists and three goals.
• Lacy Legaspi also picked up three goals as Leanne Windon totaled seven caused turnovers and eight ground balls.    
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
• The two teams battled back and forth in the early minutes of the game, as Ave Maria led 3-2 after the first five minutes of action.
• A pair of goals from Freeman tied the game, however Ave Maria regained the lead 5-4 with 12:30 left in the half.
• Life U responded with four unanswered goals to lead 8-5 after Ricci found the back of the net twice. Ave Maria would finish the half on a 2-1 advantage as Life U led 9-7 going into the half.
• Freeman struck first in the second half five minutes in to put the Running Eagles ahead by three, but a pair of goals from Ave Maria cut the lead to one, 10-9.
• Beshaw, Freeman and Ricci each scored as the Running Eagles led 13-9 with 12:36 remaining in the game. The two teams traded goals as Life U led by four, 14-10 with 10:32 remaining in the game. Ave Maria mounted a comeback scoring three straight goals to trail by just one, 14-13, with 2:03 on the clock. The Running Eagles battled and scored two goals in the final minute to earn the 16-13 MSC opening win.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Life U finished with 35 total shots as 31 were on frame. Ave Maria tallied 31 shots with 23 on frame.
• Ave Maria led Life U in saves 15-10.
• Life U was 23-of-35 on clears during the game as Ave Maria finished 23-of-33.
• Ave Maria committed 35 turnovers in the game as Life U finished with 34.
• Life U picked up 35 ground balls compared to the 23 from Ave Maria. Life U led Ave Maria 17-13 in draw controls during the game.
 
UP NEXT
• The women's lacrosse team will return to action on Tuesday, February 16 as they host (RV) Tennessee Wesleyan University at 6 PM.