MARIETTA, Ga. --- The fourth-ranked Life University women's lacrosse team bounced back from a slow first half, scoring seven goals in the third to run away with a 15-12 home victory over No. 6 Missouri Baptist Thursday evening at Lupo Family Field.

What started out as a hard-fought, back-and-forth game for Life U (5-1) ended with the team getting back on track to secure a huge home win over Missouri Baptist (4-2). The Running Eagles led in most statistical categories, holding advantages in shots 33-24, ground balls 24-16, and caused turnovers 23-14. Life U's offense ran through the trio of Maria Arvizu, Lacey Legaspi, and Lexi Santiago, scoring 11 of the team's 15 goals. Arvizu put together another off her ridiculous stat lines, scoring four time, assisting three goals, collecting three ground balls, and causing three turnovers. Legaspi provided five points with four goals scored and an assist, while midfielder, Santiago compiled three goals, two assists, three ground balls, and two caused turnovers. Defensively, Leanne Windon recorded a ridiculous game, leading all players with nine caused turnovers and six ground balls.

Neither team could take control through the early run of the contest, all three of Santiago's goals coming in the first 12 minutes of the game as the score stood at 3-3. A Peyton Sanders goal coming right after the draw following Santiago's last score saw the team go into the second quarter with a 4-3 lead. After a Spartans' goal evened the score early in the second, goals by Annaliese Froese and Arvizu gave the team a 6-4 edge. Missouri Baptist went on a 3-0 run over the rest of the half, sending the teams into the break with Life U trailing 7-6.

The Running Eagles came out of the half focused, Legaspi and Arvizu posting a pair of goals in the opening seconds off the third. After two Missouri Baptist goals again saw the road team on top 9-8, Life U went on a 5-0 run over the rest of the third to take control of the game 13-9. The run saw three goals by Legaspi and two by Arvizu. Nursing a four goal lead, Life U held on to shut down any chance at a comeback by the Spartans. In the final period, returning from injury, Annslee Warchol recorded a pair of goals to see the final of 15-12.

Up next for the Running Eagles is the team's first SUN Conference game of the year, facing off with (RV) Webber International University March 18th at 1 PM within the friendly confines of Lupo Family Field.