MARIETTA, Ga. --- The No. 7 Life University women's lacrosse team fought a back-and-forth battle with No. 2 Lawrence Tech on a brisk Wednesday evening at Lupo Family Field, but a Running Eagles' roster shortened by injury fell behind late to suffer a 12-11 loss.

Life U's (4-1) first loss of the season came in dramatic fashion to national power, No. 2 Lawrence Tech (3-1). For a game that had such a close final result, it should come as no surprise that the team statistics were also rather even. The Running Eagles played more aggressively than the Blue Devils, leading in shots 30-23, caused turnovers 24-18, and ground balls 29-22. Lawrence Tech's main advantages came on the draw, leading 17-10, and consistency on clears, where they led 16-for-20 to Life U's 19-for-27. Both team's goal keepers did a good job despite facing many shots on goal, the Blue Devil's holding a slight 12-10 edge in saves.

Lexi Santiago and Nicole Ortiz led the way for Life U, being the only Running Eagles to record multiple goals. Santiago had a spectacular game, stuffing the stat sheet with four goals, six ground balls, four draw controls, and three caused turnovers. Her fellow midfielder, Ortiz, also had a strong performance, recording three goals, an assist, and a caused turnover. Despite not scoring as much as she usually does, Maria Arvizu shined everywhere else, tying Leanne Windon for a team-high four caused turnovers, while also taking a game-high eight ground balls and team-high five draw controls.

The first half saw the team's battling back-and-forth, but Life U generally holding a lead. After a Blue Devil goal early in the second to take a 3-2 lead, a three goal streak by the Running Eagles saw them take a lead that they would hold for nearly half of regulation. After Windon's goal gave Life U a 5-3 edge, Lawrence Tech again tied things, but goals by Ortiz and Santiago in the final three minutes of the half sent the Running Eagles into the break with a 7-5 lead.

Coming out of the break, the team's traded two scores each to see the margin the same, 9-7, with 7:38 to play. From that point, Life U mistakes and Lawrence Tech's ability to keep their players fresh saw a 5-0 run that lasted until the mid-point of the fourth quarter. With four minutes to play and down 12-9, Peyton Sander got in on the scoring on a pass from Ortiz to cut into the deficit, but it took until the final 11 seconds of play for Life U to score again, not leaving the team enough time to try and play for extra time, losing 12-11.

The Running Eagles stay home for their next couple of contests, next up being No. 8 Missouri Baptist on March 16th at 6PM.