ST. LOUIS – In an exhilarating matchup between seventh-ranked Missouri Baptist University Women's Lacrosse and (RV) Ave Maria University, MBU came out victorious led by six points from Lydia Cornett and five goals from Olivia Julian.

The Spartans and Gyrenes were neck and neck for the entirety of the first and second quarters.

Julian drew first blood, scoring off an assist from junior attacker Skyler Morrissey. Ave Maria promptly responded with a goal about three minutes later.

After Ave Maria's goal, Mack Miller took it upon herself to score another for the Spartans.

Despite MBU's efforts, AMU managed to sneak in two more goals before the end of the first period, bringing the score to 3-2.

Only two minutes and fifty-nine seconds into the second quarter, Julian tied the game for the Spartans. Both teams remained scoreless until AMU put another point on the board.

The Spartans, being scrappy and relentless, managed to score three more goals on the Gyrenes before the end of the half. The goals were scored by: Kiersten Lang (assisted by Cornett), Cornett, and Julian.

Julian added even more excitement to the contest when she recorded a draw control at MBU's 30-yard line and decided to take the ball straight to goal with 54 seconds left in the half.

MBU scored three quick goals at the beginning of the third quarter. One came from Miller and two came from Cornett.

About a minute after Cornett's free position goal, Ave Maria scored again. Soon after, Lang responded with a goal of her own, bringing the score to 10-5.

Just as the Spartans were starting to feel comfortable, Ave Maria went on a three-goal run, making the score at the end of the third period 10-8.

AMU proceeded to make a statement, scoring two goals on the seventh-ranked team in the nation just under three minutes into the fourth and final quarter.

Missouri Baptist captain Cornett scored soon after, regaining the lead on Ave Maria 11-10. But, AMU proved to be an unrelenting opponent, scoring two more in response.

Lang came in clutch with a goal assisted by Cornett with 5 minutes and 40 seconds left in the game, making the score 12-12.

MBU got their mojo back and proceeded to score three more, courtesy of Julian and Miller.

Ave Maria worked to score one more buzzer beater goal, but it had no impact on the final result. The Spartans reigned victorious 15-13.

Team Stats Highlights:
Draw Controls / MBU – 22 AMU – 10

Defensive Highlights:
Cornett – eight ground balls, 11 DCs
Julian – six GBs, two caused turnovers, three DCs
Hayley Schnefke – two GBs

Missouri Baptist will spend a week in Georgia, playing a few of the NAIA's fiercest teams: (3) Keiser University, (6) Reinhardt University, and (9) Life University on March 10 and March 13.