NEED TO KNOW:

Score: Life U 10, Ave Maria 6

Records: Life U, 11-3 (SUN, 4-1); Ave Maria, 5-5 (SUN, 2-2)

AVE MARIA, Fla. - The Life U women's lacrosse team rallied back from trailing at half 6-4 to overtake Ave Maria 10-6 Saturday morning on the road.

The Running Eagles trailed 6-4 at the half, but Ashley Hammel and defense kept the Gyrenes scoreless in the second half with the offense scoring six to give them the lead the rest of the game.
 

It was a game of large momentum swings, as the Running Eagles led 3-2 after the end of the first quarter. Ave Maria then dominated the second quarter, delivering four straight goals to lead 6-4 going into the halftime break.

The Gyrenes were not able to keep the momentum going into the third, as Lexi Santiago scored two minutes into the third period.

From that point forward, it was all Running Eagles. Alyssa Curto followed with a goal from Olivia Andrews. Santiago and Annslee Warchol were able to add one more before going into the final 15 minutes.  

The fourth quarter was a defensive battle for both teams until Nicole Ortiz finally put one past the Ave Maria defense with less than two minutes left in the game creating enough space to secure the 10-6 win.  

The game was evenly matched in the box score, as Life U held a 27-23 shot advantage and a 17-16 edge in shots on goal.

Up next, Life U will play its final regular season game, at home next Saturday, April 13 at 3 p.m. where Peyton Sanders will be honored for senior day. 

TURNING POINT:

- The Life U defense stepped up, holding Ave Maria scoreless over the final 30 minutes of the contest. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:

- It was a balanced attack for the Running Eagles as five players scored at least one goal. 

- Santiago led with five while Ortiz added two.

- Warchol Andrews, and Curto all added a goal, while Curto had two assists. 

- Both Goalies Lilly Phillips and Hammel had a great game. Phillips tallied four saves while Hammel created six huge stops leaving the Gyrenes scoreless in the second half.