ST. LOUIS – The No. 5 Maryville women's lacrosse team prevailed over No. 8 Indianapolis 18-16 in a thrilling clash between the two ranked Great Lakes Valley Conference powers. The Saints scored eight consecutive goals to rally and held off a late Greyhounds' charge. Helen Bae fired in six goals, while Chloe Elliott finished with five tallies. Maryville goalie Gianna Guzek came up with eight saves between the pipes, including four on free-position attempts.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Bae opened the scoring before the Greyhounds answered with two straight. Bae found the back of the net again but UIndy standout Olivia Bladon scored back-to-back goals for a 4-2 at the 3:05 mark of the first quarter. Bae netted her hat trick, and Devyn Dimovitz pulled the Saints even at 4-4. The visitors posted four straight goals to grab an 8-4 lead with 8:41 left in the second quarter. However, the Saints roared back with eight unanswered goals. Bae ignited the run, and Elliott followed. After anther Bae score, Kylie Pettus tied the score at 8-8 with just 3.4 seconds left before halftime.
 
The Saints took advantage of player-up situations in the third quarter. Natalie Tomljenovic gave the Saints the lead at 9-8, before Marissa Zeno and Gaby Quinones all scored with a UIndy player sitting due to cards. Izzy Watts scored as the Saints built a 12-8 advantage. Maryville shut out UIndy for 20:09 before the Greyhounds scored at the 3:42 mark of the third. Bae and Elliott converted goals for a 14-9 heading into the final quarter.
 
Zeno rocketed in a goal as the Saints advantage grew to 15-9 to cap the 11-1 spree. UIndy came back with three straight scores. Elliott slowed the visitors with a tally for a 16-12 margin. The Greyhounds converted back-to-back chances to pull to within 16-14 with 4:10 left in the game. Elliott answered with two straight player-up chances for an 18-14 cushion with 2:34 remaining. UIndy made one more charge with two scores to pull to within 18-16 with 1:34 to go. The Greyhounds won the next draw control but Haley Ritchie caused a crucial turnover in the final minute and the Saints ran the clock out for the crucial victory in the GLVC and regional rankings.

STATISTICAL LEADERS:
Goals: Helen Bae - 6
Assists: Marissa Zeno - 4
Points: Helen Bae and Marissa Zeno - 6
Ground Balls: Gianna Guzek - 5
Draw Controls: Kylie Pettus - 9
Saves: Gianna Guzek - 8
 
RECORDS:
No. 5 Maryville: 12-1, 3-0 GLVC
No. 8 Indianapolis: 8-5, 2-1 GLVC
 
What's Next?
The Saints take to the road for the final time this season as they voyage to Missouri Western Thursday, April 17, then play at Quincy Saturday, April 19. Read Full Article