Marquette Falls to Ohio State, 11-9

COLUMBUS – The Marquette women's lacrosse team fell to Ohio State, 11-9, in a back-and-forth game in Columbus on Friday afternoon.

Senior Grace Gabriel and graduate student Charlotte McGuire led Marquette with a hat trick each, and junior Megan Menzuber tallied two goals. Gabriel also secured a team-high five draw controls while classmate Cate Soccodato added in a pair of assists.

"It was a hard fought game – a battle the whole time," head coach Meredith Black said. "We played as a team, and that's something we've worked on all week. There's definitely things to be proud of with the team, but a lot to work on so we can come out on top in a game like this."

The Golden Eagles (3-3, 0-0 BIG EAST) answered each of Ohio State's first two goals and scored three in-a-row to take a 5-4 lead into halftime. Marquette rode the hot streak into the second half, building to five consecutive goals in a span where Gabriel also notched her hat trick. However, the Buckeyes scored five unanswered goals to build an 8-7 lead with 15:49 remaining in the contest.

Menzuber tied things up at 8-8 following a timeout on the field, but Ohio State secured a two-goal lead with just over 5 minutes remaining. McGuire gave Marquette a goal with 4:41 to go, bringing the team within one, but the Buckeyes won the ensuing draw control and ran it down for a goal.

Gabriel had the opportunity to bring the Golden Eagles back within one on a free position shot with under 20 seconds remaining, but missed wide.

Marquette goalkeeper Jules Horning made nine saves in goal, equaling Ohio State's goalie Jill Rizzo.

The Golden Eagles and Buckeyes were also even in draw controls (10) and turnovers (18). Marquette outshot Ohio State by one, 27-26.

Ohio State (4-1, 0-0 Big Ten) was led by Liza Hernandez with a hat trick.

The Golden Eagles return to action at High Point on Sunday at 11 a.m. Central time.