ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist University women's lacrosse opened its 2026 season with an offensive surge Friday afternoon, defeating Quincy University 13-10 for the first time in MBU history at Spartan Field. The Spartans (1-0) raced out to a commanding first-quarter lead and withstood a second-half push from the Hawks to secure the nonconference victory.
Delaney Pechnik led the charge with six goals and one assist, finishing with a game-high seven points. She added five draw controls and consistently sparked Missouri Baptist's attack in key moments. Sophia Rose contributed five points on one goal and four assists. In goal, Rachel Livak recorded 13 saves to anchor the defensive effort.
The Spartans wasted no time setting the tone, scoring six unanswered goals in the opening quarter. Pechnik netted two early goals, while Alexis Taylor and Madison Terrell each found the back of the net to give the Spartans a 4-0 advantage midway through the first. Marissa Oldham added a pair of goals as MBU built a 6-0 lead before Quincy answered late in the period.
The Spartans extended the lead to 9-4 in the second quarter behind another Pechnik goal and back-to-back man-up scores from Rose and Pechnik. Quincy responded with three goals in the final minutes of the half to trim the deficit to 9-5 at the break.
The Hawks continued to chip away in the third, pulling within 9-6 early in the frame. Pechnik halted the momentum with her fifth goal of the afternoon, and the Spartans maintained a 10-7 edge heading into the fourth.
Quincy cut the lead to two goals twice in the final quarter, including at 10-8 and 12-9, but Missouri Baptist answered each time. Pechnik completed her six-goal performance with a man-up strike midway through the fourth, and Terrell added an insurance goal with just over three minutes remaining to seal the 13-10 win.
Missouri Baptist finished with a 16-12 edge in ground balls and totaled 10 draw controls. Livak's 13 saves proved pivotal as Quincy outshot the Spartans 27-26 overall.
What's Next
Missouri Baptist returns to action next week, Feb. 19, as it continues nonconference play against Culver-Stockton College. Faceoff is set for 4 p.m.
