Maryville University Athletics

INDIANAPOLIS  – Using a strong showing in the third quarter, the Maryville women's lacrosse squad advanced to the finals of the 2026 Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament with an 18-12 victory over three-seed Rockhurst. The Saints take on No. 1 team and host Indianapolis Sunday, May 3, in an 11 a.m. CT / Noon ET start for the GLVC title. The Saints outscored the Hawks 6-1 in the pivotal third period. Helen Bae led the way with six goals and one assist, while Paige Murphy finished with four scores and one helper.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawks scored on the first two possessions of the game but Mady Richert fired in Maryville's opening goal. Murphy pulled the Saints even with a shot to the upper corner. However, Rockhurst tacked on two straight goals. Maryville responded with six straight goals to surge ahead. Bae and Murphy converted a free-position chances to forge a 4-4 tie. Kylie Pettus took a feed from Murphy and converted to give the Saints their first lead of the game 5-4.
 
Natalie Tomljenovic scored on another free-position chance. Bae and Murphy slotted home shots again as the Saints extended their margin to 8-4. Rockhurst pulled to within 8-6 until Murphy went low on another free-position shot for a 9-6 edge. Devyn Dimovitz deposited a goal and Pettus tacked on her second of the day for an 11-7 cushion. The Hawks scored twice in the final minute to chop the Maryville lead to 11-9 at the break.
 
Bae began the third with another free-position goal before Emmery Clark registered her first of the game. Rockhurst scored its lone goal of the frame before the Saints erupted for four straight. Dimovitz tallied again, and Bae followed with two straight off feeds from Richert. Jada Crispin found the back of the next for a 17-10 edge heading into the final 15 minutes.
 
The Hawks scored twice in the fourth quarter but Bae put the game away with her sixth goal of the day. The Maryville defense limited the Hawks to just three goals in the second half. The Saints forced the Hawks into 22 turnovers with 14 caused turnovers.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Goals: Helen Bae - 6
Assists: Mady Richert - 2
Points: Helen Bae - 7
Ground Balls: Devyn Dimovitz - 5
Caused Turnovers: Devyn Dimovitz - 3
Draw Controls: Paige Murphy - 6
Saves: Gianna Guzek - 4
 
RECORDS
No. 8 Maryville: 14-3
No. 24 Rockhurst: 12-4
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Saints look for their second straight GLVC title as they take on host Indianapolis Sunday, May 3, at Key Stadium.