MARIETTA, Ga. --- Senior Brianna Freeman scored four times and freshman Nicole Ortiz added three more as the third-ranked Life University women's lacrosse team won a tough home game against No. 8 SCAD-Savannah today, 10-9, to get the season started with a big, top 10 victory at Lupo Family Field.

Life U (1-0) started its season on the right foot, earning the tough fought victory over SCAD (0-1) by relying on aggressive defensive and offensive play. The team's fought back-and-forth through the opening seven minutes of the game as neither team found a score until, following Lacy Legaspi collecting a ground ball near the goal, Maria Arvizu earned the first Running Eagle goal of the season to take a 1-0 lead. The Bees answered quickly, posting three-straight scores to end the first quarter and take a 3-1 lead, two of the scores coming off free position opportunities.

Down 3-1 entering the second period, Life U turned up the pressure, finally breaking through with 5:18 to go as Ortiz started a Running Eagle scoring frenzy. Freeman followed Ortiz up with a pair of scores in the following minute to give Life U a 4-3 lead that they would maintain into the halftime break.

Freeman continued her second quarter momentum after the break, scoring Life U's fifth and sixth goals in the opening minutes of the period as the lead expanded to 6-3. With 5:10 to go in the third, another freshman, Angie Forbes got in the action, recording a goal of her own, while the Life U extended to its largest at 8-3 after Legaspi assisted Ortiz on a goal. SCAD answered in the final moments of the third, scoring twice to see the game head into the fourth quarter, Life U leading 8-5.

Life U recorded its first free position goal of the contest with 12:25 to go, Ortiz scoring her third goal of the game and pushing Life U's advantage to 9-5. SCAD scored three-straight goals from that point till 6:42 to pull within a single score of the Running Eagles. Legaspi recorded her only goal of the game in a clutch moment for Life U, giving the team a little breathing room at 10-8 with less than five minutes to play. SCAD scored one more goal over the final minutes, but Life U's defense was able to force enough bad shots and turnovers to earn the 10-9 victory.

Freeman and Ortiz were the top performers on the offensive side of the field for the Running Eagles as they combined for seven of the team's goals. Defensively, Leanne Windon did it all for Life U, leading all players with both nine caused turnovers and ground balls. Arvizu provided an all-around effort with a goal, an assist, two ground balls, and eight caused turnovers. Nina Sutton collected the second most ground balls in the game, grabbing seven while also causing a turnover.

Life U held a very strong advantage in shots taken at 40-17, turnovers caused 31-14, and ground balls collected 40-27. The main thing that kept the Bees in the game was the 21 saves their goalie provided them compared to Life U's three.

The Running Eagles stay home for their next competition, facing Point University Wednesday, February 9th at 5 PM in Lupo Family Field.