COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.  – The No. 6 Maryville women's lacrosse team scored the first four goals of the game and methodically moved past UC Colorado Springs 13-9. Helen Bae paced the offensive attack with three goals and three assists, while Paige Murphy also recorded a hat trick. Gianna Guzek set a new season-high with nine saves, including three on free-position shots.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Natalie Tomljenovic broke through for the first score of the game before Bae pushed across two straight goals. Murphy tallied a player-up goal as the Saints took a 4-0 nine minutes into the contest. The Maryville defense blanked UCCS in the first quarter before the hosts finally broke through for a goal. Devyn Dimovitz answered for the Saints. The Mountain Lions scored two more times until Tomljenovic made it 6-3. UCCS pulled one back in the final seconds as the Saints settled for a 6-4 lead at halftime.
 
The teams traded goals to open the third as Emmery Clark and Mady Richert recorded scores for the Saints. Maryville took advantage of UCCS cards and poured in three straight player-up goals. Murphy tallied two straight and a goal by Richert put the Saints on top 11-6. UCCS got one score back before Gaby Quinones found the back of the net in the dying seconds of the quarter for a 12-7 margin.
 
Bae converted a free-position attempt as the Saints built their largest margin of the day at 13-7. UCCS made a late charge with back-to-back goals but the Saints held on for their fourth straight victory to open the season. The Saints dominated on draw controls by winning the first nine en route to a 15-7 margin on the day.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Goals: Helen Bae and Paige Murphy - 3
Assists: Helen Bae - 3
Points: Helen Bae - 6
Ground Balls: Helen Bae and Devyn Dimovitz - 4
Caused Turnovers: Mady Richert - 2
Draw Controls: Helen Bae - 7
Saves: Gianna Guzek - 9
 
RECORDS
No. 6 Maryville: 4-0
UC Colorado Springs: 0-1
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Saints will take a short break and are next in action Sunday, March 8, when they host nationally-ranked Grand Valley State for a Noon start at the Maryville Athletic Complex.