LIVONIA, Mich. - After a rush of winter weather caused the game to get pushed back a day, conference play finally kicked off in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) with the Madonna Crusaders (1-4) hosting the Marian University (Ind.) Knights (5-2). In a crushing defeat, the Crusaders lost 18-2 against the Knights.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Crusaders continued their trend of scoring the first points of the game today as Mia Dyson dodged her way through a hoard of Knights to strike first for the Crusaders. Madonna held the lead, shutting down every one of Marian's clear attempts until just under the nine minute mark in the first period. The Knights finally got on the board, and would go on a 10-0 run to overtake and shut down the Crusaders.

The only other Crusader goal of the afternoon came from senior captain and leading scorer Aria Gettel. After getting her chance at an eight-meter shot midway through the second quarter, Gettel scored her 15th goal of the season.

Following Gettel's goal, the Knights would go on to pitch a second-half shutout as the Crusaders were unable to find a hole in the Knights' aggressive defense. The Crusaders would fall in their conference opener 18-2.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
 

• Gettel led the team with three caused turnovers and also scored one goal and grabbed six ground balls.
• Dyson also scored one goal and  grabbed six ground balls.
• Hannah Dickson had 12 saves as the goalie.

UP NEXT

The Crusaders will continue conference play as they travel across Michigan to face an in-state WHAC opponent in the No.9 Aquinas College Saints. The game is slated for 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22 at the Aquinas College Athletic Field in Grand Rapids, Mich.

CONNECT WITH THE CRUSADERS: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
SUBSCRIBE/DOWNLOAD TEAM SCHEDULES: Download Center
DOWNLOAD THE NEW MOBILE APP: Google Play | iOS