MARIETTA, Ga. — The seventh-ranked Missouri Baptist University women's lacrosse team fought a hard battle against (8) Life University, but ultimately fell to the Running Eagles 19-13 on Thursday (March 13).

Having just played the number six team in the nation the day before, the Spartans were battered and bruised, but came out swinging against the Running Eagles, playing with tenacity until the final buzzer sounded. 

In the first period, MBU's top three leading goal-scorers each put a point on the board for the Spartans:

• Olivia Julian (assisted by Lydia Cornett) 
• Cornett
• Mack Miller 

LU scored two in the first, making the score at the end of the quarter 3-2 with Missouri Baptist in the lead. 

The Running Eagles scored first in the second quarter, but Kiersten Lang spoiled their celebration with a goal just a minute later. 

In response, Life scored two more, but Delaney Pechnik was able to tie up the game again soon after. Despite MBU's efforts, LU still scored two goals before the half ended.

Life went on a three-goal run at the beginning of the third period, but Julian put a stop to this with two unassisted goals of her own. 

LU promptly scored two more, making the goal count 12-7 in Life's favor.

Miller recorded another goal, but Life found momentum, scoring three more before the end of the quarter. 

Within the first two minutes of the final period, Alexis Taylor scored off an assist from senior defender and draw specialist, Sophia Zegar. 

Cornett came in clutch just under a minute later, putting the Spartans only five goals behind the Running Eagles. Realizing this, LU put up another. 

MBU stayed determined, scoring two more goals to bring the score to 16-12 before both teams had to clear the field for a lightning delay. 

About two hours later, Missouri Baptist and Life were allowed to take the field again, anxious to finish the contest.

The rain delay seemed to be what the Running Eagles needed to take the game in the fourth. Cornett scored one more before the end of the game, but LU scored three, bringing the final score to 19-13. 

Defensive Highlights:
Julian - four caused turnovers, two ground balls, two draw controls
Cornett - six draw controls
Zegar - three draw controls 

Next, MBU matches up against a Heart of America Conference opponent, Missouri Valley College, on Wednesday (March 19).