The No. 18/19 Louisville lacrosse team defeated Marquette 13-12 in the first road game of the season on Friday afternoon. Meghan Siverson and McKayla Conti led the Cardinals with five goals each. The Cardinals improved to 2-0 on the season while Marquette drops to 0-1.
“Today was a test of our resolve and we responded with determination and grit,” said head coach Kellie Young. “I’m incredibly proud of our team and excited about what we are learning about ourselves.”
Marquette jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Siverson scored at the 15:52 mark to cut the lead to 3-1. Marquette scored in the next minute to take a 4-1 lead. Louisville responded with a 3-0 run to tie the game. Conti, Ashley Lynch and Heidi Smith all scored in a minute and a half span.
Both teams went back and forth scoring until Conti scored two straight goals in the final five minutes of the first period to give Louisville a 7-6 lead at the break.
The Golden Eagles came out strong again in the second half scoring two straight goals to take an 8-7 lead. The Cardinals responded with 2-0 run to regain a 9-8 lead. Conti scored with an assist from Hannah Koloski and assisted on Siverson’s goal.
Just like the first half, the teams traded goals, tying the game at 11 with 5:31 left to play. Siverson controlled the draw on the final possessions and scored the go-ahead goal off a free position goal at the 4:06 mark. Then she scored off an assist from Conti for the game-winner, giving the Cards a 13-11 lead with 3:17 left.
“I am really proud of McKayla and Meghan,” said Young. “They responded to a new defense and found a way to score. Brittany (Read) had an incredible game. She made a number of point blank saves to keep us in the fight.”
The Golden Eagles scored with 1:30 left in the game but he Cardinals gained possession off the draw and sealed the win.
Marquette finished the game with a 36-20 shot advantage and a 27-17 ground ball advantage. Siverson led the Cardinals with four draw controls, three caused turnovers and three ground balls. Koloski, Smith and Lynch each finished with a goal. Conti and Siverson led the Cardinals with two assists.
The Cardinals will be back in action on Sunday as they host Robert Morris at 1:00 p.m. at the UofL Lacrosse Stadium.
Kimberli Pemberton
Assistant Sports Information Director
University of Louisville