ST. LOUIS – Playing catch up the entire game, Missouri Baptist University Women's Lacrosse was unable to push past Madonna University in its home and season opener Saturday, falling to the Crusaders, 13-9.
 
Although the visitors from Livonia, Mich. led for all but 2 ½ minutes of the contest, MBU pushed the Crusaders to the limit on multiple occasions.
 
The first deficit that the Spartans had to dig out of was a 3-0 hole with a trifecta of goals from MU in the first six minutes. MoBap quickly turned the three-point deficit into a one-goal ballgame with back-to-back goals from Jordan Haeusser and Maggie McDaniel within 15 seconds of each other.
 
The see-saw action in the first half continued all the way to halftime. With under 10 minutes left in the half, MBU strung together three consecutive goals by Melina Custer, Jordan Haeusser and Chayleb Deves to knot the game at 5-all. Madonna answered and took a 7-6 lead into the break.
 
The Crusaders made their move in the opening minutes of the second half scoring four goals in a row. MU's 11-6 advantage marked the largest lead of the game.
 
Audrey Frost and Jordan Haeusser teamed up for the next three scores and got back within two of the Crusaders, 11-9, with just over 10 minutes remaining in the contest. However, holding true to the rest of the game, Madonna had another answer with back-to-back goals by Christy Battersby to thwart an MBU comeback.
 
2019 Independent Conference Rookie of the Year Jordan Haeusser led the Spartans in nearly every facet in the home opener. The sophomore tallied a team high in goals (4), assists (2), points (6), shots (10), ground balls (7), draw controls (4) and caused turnovers (2). It marked her eighth career multi-goal game.
 
Joining Haeusser with a multi-goal performance was Audrey Frost, who recorded two goals off of three shot attempts.
 
One particular freshman who made an immediate impact for the Spartans on Saturday was Chayleb Deves. The first-year midfielder from Marquette High School scored her first career goal in Navy & White on a free-position shot and finished the game with nine shots, seven of which were on target.
 
The Spartans will return to action next Saturday at Spartan Field with an exhibition against the Washington University-St. Louis club team. Gametime is scheduled for 10 a.m.