FORT WAYNE, Ind. --- Maria Arvizu scores seven goals to lead Life University women's lacrosse to a narrow, come from behind victory on the road against Indiana Tech, 14-13, Sunday afternoon.
Life U (12-3) managed to pull off the victory after what was a very slow start to the game for the Running Eagles, finding themselves in a 3-1 deficit after the end of the first 15 minutes of play. In the second quarter, Life U was down by as many as four, 5-1, before two quick Arvizu scores pulled the team back within a pair of scores. The team's traded goals from that point to end the first half, Indiana Tech on top 7-5.
Coming out of the break, the Warriors scored first, but Life U recorded three-straight scores from
Annaliese Froese,
Lexi Santiago, and
Nina Sutton tied the game at 8-8. Two Indiana Tech scores to end the third quarter saw Life U enter the final 15 minutes of play down a pair of goals. The Running Eagles ran off three goals to start the fourth quarter, taking their first lead of the contest 11-10 following a
Nicole Ortiz goal with 8:51 to play. Goals from
Brianna Freeman, Santiago, and Arvizu helped Life U maintain its lead, holding on for a 14-13 victory.
Arvizu had another all around outing, leading all players with seven goals scored to go with her seven ground balls and four caused turnovers. Santiago was the only other Running Eagle to record multiple goals, to go with a strong stat line, scoring twice, assisting two other scores, grabbing six ground balls, and causing six turnovers. Other goal scorers include: Freeman, Ortiz, Sutton, Froese, and
Angie Forbes.
Despite the close outcome, Life U held a strong lead in most statistical categories. The Running Eagles held a massive lead in shots, 41-23, while also leading in defensive categories strongly, like ground balls where they led 38-19 and caused turnovers where the advantage was 20-7. The Running Eagles also took better care of their clear attempts, going 24-for-25 compared to Indiana Tech's 18-for-23. The only stat the Warriors led was saves at 12-7.
The Running Eagles travel south next, facing No. 3 Keiser University on the road Friday, April eighth at 2 PM.
