SOUTHFIELD, MI. --- The Life University women's lacrosse team began its title chase with a thrilling 11-9 quarterfinal win over #3 Reinhard University.
For the second time this season, the women's lacrosse team bested the Eagles from Reinhardt, moving the all-time head-to-head matchup to 4-3 with Life U coming away as winners in four of the last five matchups. The win wasn't easy though, as Life U (9-4, 4-2 SUN) bounced back after going down early after the Eagles scored a pair of quick goals. The first couple of minutes saw the Running Eagles quickly fall on the defense with unsuccessful draw controls leading to long possessions and goals for Reinhardt. Eventually, the Running Eagles found their way on the scoresheet after a goal from Lexi Santiago. Shortly after that, Reinhardt (12-5, 6-1 AAC) responded with another assisted goal, 3-1. The two teams then found themselves in a defensive stalemate for the next four minutes before an unassisted goal by Maria Arvizu narrowed the gap once more, 3-2. Then, just over a minute later, Lacy Legaspi tied the contest at 3 apiece. Reinhardt then scored with 15 seconds left in the opening quarter to carry a 4-3 lead into the second quarter.
In the second, the Running Eagles tied the contest with a goal from Lexi Santiago, her first of four on the day. Moments later, a goal from Nicole Ortiz gave Life U. its first lead of the contest. They later built on the lead, extending it to 7-4 by halftime after goals from Annslee Warchol and Santiago. Santiago's goal came with less than three minutes to play and despite the Running Eagles playing down a player for over a minute due to a caution. Heading into the half, Life U held a favorable 7-4 lead.
After the break, the third quarter again proved be a hard defensive battle with neither team producing excellent offensive chances. In fact, the Running Eagles were held scoreless in the frame with Reinhardt's Madison Hasty recording seven impressive saves in that period alone.
After being held scoreless and allowing two goals in the third, the Running Eagles' lead was in jeopardy, 7-6. An instant response in the fourth from Olivia Andrews (assisted by Annslee Warchol) and an impressive solo effort from Nicole Ortiz furthered the separation for Life U, 9-6, the largest of the day for either team, but the cushion was short lived as moments later the Eagles responded with a 3-0 run.
Deadlocked at nine apiece with five minutes to play, Nicole Ortiz again came through for the Running Eagles scoring another solo effort to give Life U the crucial late-game lead. Just over a minute later, Lexi Santiago scored her final goal of the game, solidifying the lead and the win.
In goal, Ashley Hammel recorded six saves in the win, moving her season and career total to an impressive 99 saves. Offensively, Alyssa Curto recorded two assists, while the solid defensive effort was spearheaded by Leanne Windon with four caused turnovers.
With the win, the Running Eagles now look ahead to an NAIA Semifinal matchup against host school Lawrence Tech. The semifinal match is set to begin tomorrow night at 8 pm.
