By: Davis Barlow: Assistant Sports Information Director
Box Score NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 9, Benedictine 12
Records: #7 Life U, 11-8; #2 Benedictine (Kan.) 19-0
SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Life University women's lacrosse team fell to the Ravens of Benedictine in the Quarterfinals of the NAIA National Tournament on Wednesday afternoon. The Running Eagles battled back into the contest after a slow start but were never fully able to reel the game back in.
The Ravens dominated the first quarter of action. Five unanswered goals saw Life U struggling to hit back as they were out shot 8-6 in the period. Trailing 5-0 heading into the second the Running Eagles turned to Alyssa Curto for an offensive spark.
It took Curto just over a minute to get Life U on the board. She was not finished there as just 34 seconds later she found Hannah Leon for her first goal of the contest. Trailing 5-2, the Running Eagles traded goals with the Ravens before pulling the game back within two. Curto found a cutting Kathryn Moody, who wasted no time slinging a laser into the top-left corner for her second-straight goal. The Life defense produced a big stop in the final two minutes to maintain the deficit at 7-5 heading into the break.
Hannah Leon opened the second half with a free-position goal for the Running Eagles, slashing the deficit to just one. However, one goal was as close as Life U would get. Benedictine responded with a pair of goals midway through the third period to push the lead to 9-6. A Running Eagles timeout with 06:58 left in the third did little to slow down the Ravens offense as the goals continued to pour in.
Trailing 11-6 heading into the final period, Life U battled to keep its' hopes alive. Moody cut the deficit to four, completing her hat trick with 10:11 to play. Lexi Santiago sliced the lead to three with 02:59 left in the contest. Though the defense held Benedictine scoreless for nearly the entire period, one final goal from the Ravens put the game out of reach. The contest concluded 12-9.
This marks the end to the 2025 season.
TURNING POINT:
--The Ravens dominated the first quarter, putting in five goals while holding the Running Eagles scoreless.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Kathryn Moody led the Running Eagles in scoring with three goals.
--Alyssa Curto tied for the team lead in points with four (2G, 2A).
--Abigale Eash surrendered one goal, making four saves in her 16 minutes in goal.
--Lexi Santiago caused three turnovers and collected eight draw controls.
