WLAX Heads to UConn for Regular-Season Finale Saturday
The Marquette University women’s lacrosse team (9-5, 3-2 BIG EAST) wraps up the regular season this Saturday, hitting the road to face UConn (6-9, 2-3 BIG EAST). First draw is set for 10:30 a.m. CT from Storrs, with ESPN+ featuring the broadcast.
LAST TIME OUT
Marquette women’s lacrosse clinched a berth in the 2026 BIG EAST Women’s Lacrosse Tournament with a 20-6 Senior Day victory over Butler last Saturday at Valley Fields, improving to 9-5 overall and 3-2 in conference play. Tess Osburn led the Golden Eagles with five goals and an assist, while Dani Serrano added two goals and a career‑high seven assists as Marquette scored 20 goals for the second time this season. Hanna Bodner contributed three goals and six draw controls, and Marquette controlled the game throughout, outshooting Butler 41-17 and allowing just three first‑half goals in the decisive win.
HISTORY VS. UCONN
Marquette and UConn have met 13 times all‑time, with the Huskies holding a 10–3 edge in a series that has often featured tightly contested BIG EAST matchups. Many of the meetings have been decided by slim margins, including one‑goal games in 2014, 2016, 2021, twice in 2023 and 2025, highlighting the competitive nature of the rivalry. Marquette has defeated UConn in three of the last eight meetings, including a 16–15 home win in 2025 and a 12–9 victory over a ranked Huskies squad in 2023, while UConn has defended home field consistently in Storrs. The series has regularly carried postseason and conference implications, particularly in late‑season BIG EAST play.
SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
UConn enters the matchup at 6–9 overall and 2–3 in BIG EAST play, featuring a balanced offense and physical defensive approach. The Huskies average 10.13 goals per game and are led offensively by Rayea Davis (28 goals) and Megan O’Brien (25 goals, 16 assists), while regularly generating close to 29 shots per contest. Defensively, UConn has been active with 153 caused turnovers and controls possession at the draw with 197 total draw controls, while goalkeeper Sofia Oximana anchors the unit with a .410 save percentage against a high shot volume.
BIG EAST TOURNEY BOUND
With Saturday’s home victory against Butler, the Golden Eagles officially clinched their spot in the BIG EAST Tournament, marking the program’s first appearance since 2023. Saturday’s game against the Huskies will determine Marquette’s seeding, as a win would secure the No. 3 seed and a loss would drop MU to the No. 4 seed. UConn can clinch a tournament berth and the No. 3 seed with a win over Marquette, while a loss would put Villanova into the postseason. The top two seeds will be decided by the Denver vs. Georgetown matchup on Saturday, with the winner earning the No. 1 seed and the loser claiming the No. 2 seed.
OFFENSIVE EFFICIENCY
Marquette ranks No. 24 nationally and No. 2 in the BIG EAST in scoring offense (13.93 goals per game) and sits No. 21 nationally in points per game (20.86). The Golden Eagles pair that production with efficiency, leading the BIG EAST and ranking No. 14 nationally in shot percentage (.471), relying on shot selection and ball movement rather than volume alone.
BALL MOVEMENT SETS THE TONE
The Golden Eagles lead the BIG EAST and rank No. 27 nationally in assists per game (6.93), reflecting an offense built on pace, spacing and unselfish play. Marquette has recorded at least six assists in 10 of 14 games, consistently generating high‑quality scoring chances throughout the attack.
DEFENSIVE PRESSURE THE IDENTITY
Marquette’s defensive identity begins with pressure, as the Golden Eagles rank No. 23 nationally and No. 1 in the BIG EAST in caused turnovers per game (10.57). Sofia Santana and Mary Velner each lead the team with 24 caused turnovers, while Taylor Kotschevar adds 15, anchoring a unit that consistently flips possession and disrupts opposing rhythm.
SERRANO’S BREAKOUT CAMPAIGN
Freshman Dani Serrano has emerged as one of the most productive newcomers in the nation. Serrano leads Marquette and the BIG EAST with 36 assists, ranking No. 22 nationally, while her 2.57 assists per game also tops the conference. She is the team’s leading scorer with 65 points, ranking No. 39 nationally, and averages 4.64 points per game, making her one of the league’s most complete offensive threats.
OSBURN THE FINISHER
Tess Osburn anchors the scoring attack with a team‑high 40 goals, ranking No. 65 nationally and No. 3 in the BIG EAST, while averaging 2.86 goals per game. Osburn has been especially effective on special teams, leading MU with eight man‑up goals, and has recorded at least one point in every game this season. The senior currently sits at 198 career points, and is on pace to surpass the 200 career point mark, where she would become just the fourth player in program history to do so.
BODNER CONTROLS POSSESSION
Hanna Bodner continues to be critical at the draw, ranking No. 62 nationally and No. 2 in the BIG EAST with 4.79 draw controls per game. She leads Marquette with 67 draws, helping the Golden Eagles rank No. 40 nationally in draw controls per game (13.71), while also contributing 32 goals and 13 caused turnovers as a true two‑way presence.
HOWELL PROVIDES STABILITY IN GOAL
Jillian Howell has anchored the defense, ranking No. 73 nationally and No. 5 in the BIG EAST with a .413 save percentage while averaging 5.43 saves per game. Howell has totaled 76 saves on the season and has repeatedly delivered timely stops behind a defense that allows 11.29 goals per game.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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