LIVONIA, Mich. -- The Madonna University women's lacrosse team hosted their 2024 home opener on Sunday afternoon against No. 10 Aquinas College. The Crusaders would fall to the Saints 14-6. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Crusaders looked to pull off a big upset over the Saints in their home opener and started off with the momentum as Mia Dyson would score the opening goal off a free position to give the Crusaders an early 1-0 lead. But the Saints would answer right back and do so convincingly, scoring 7 straight unanswered goals to take a 7-1 lead with 10:40 left in the first half. Sydney Pattinson would then pick up a goal for the Crusaders to make it a 7-2 game with 10 minutes left in the first half. The Saints would score two more goals before halftime making it a 9-2 game at halftime.   

The Crusaders were able to regroup at halftime and although were held scoreless in the third quarter, they were able to hold the Saints to just two goals in the third to make it an 11-2 game at the end of three. In the 4th quarter the Crusaders would get hot offensively scoring four goals with two from Dyson, one from Leah Kendall which was her first collegiate goal, and one from Zoe Zdunczyk but it would not be enough to cut into the Saints lead and the Crusaders would drop their home opener 14-6. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Dyson finished with three goals on four shots and also caused three turnovers
• Pattinson would finish with a goal and two assists 
• Kendall would score her first collegiate goal and also force three turnovers

UP NEXT:

Madonna will be back at home on Wednesday, February 28th to take on the Bulldogs of Adrian College (Mich.). Game time is set for 3:00 PM. 

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