WLAX Kicks Off BIG East Road Trip Saturday at Xavier
Golden Eagles hit the road for two-straight league contests.
The Marquette University women’s lacrosse team (6-4, 0-1 BIG EAST) takes on their first road conference matchup this Saturday, traveling to Xavier (2-9, 0-1 BIG EAST). First draw is set for 11a.m. CT from Cincinnati, with ESPN+ featuring the broadcast.
LAST TIME OUT
Marquette women’s lacrosse edged UC Davis 13‑12 on Monday afternoon at Valley Fields to close non‑conference play. Hanna Bodner and Dani Serrano each scored four goals, with Bodner adding a career‑high 10 draw controls, while Tess Osburn tallied two woman‑up goals and Ella Mautz added two scores, including the game‑winner with 2:50 remaining. Marquette controlled play early, building a 12‑7 lead late in the third quarter behind strong draw control and efficient offense, before UC Davis scored seven straight to tie the game. Mautz would bury the game winner to give MU their second one-goal victory of the season.
HISTORY VS. XAVIER
Marquette is 3-0 all‑time against Xavier, with each meeting coming during the past three seasons and all three resulting in double‑digit wins for the Golden Eagles. The most recent meeting came on March 29, 2025, when Marquette topped Xavier 19–9 at Valley Fields, continuing a series trend of strong offensive production and defensive control by the Golden Eagles.
SCOUTING THE MUSKETEERS
Xavier enters at 2-9 overall (0-1 BIG EAST) and is coming off a one‑goal 11-10 loss to California on March 24, their fourth one‑goal defeat of the season. The Musketeers average 7.82 goals per game and are led offensively by Samantha Balara, who paces the team with 20 goals and 25 points, while Megan Droney (13 assists, 22 points) and Maya Graham (9 goals, 12 assists) provide playmaking balance. Defensively, Xavier has forced 111 caused turnovers and leans on goalkeeper Jada Brandon, who has made 84 saves with a .469 save percentage in 11 appearances, as the Musketeers have remained competitive in several close losses.
PRODUCTIVE AND EFFICIENT OFFENSE
Marquette averages 14.00 goals per game, ranking No. 23 nationally and No. 2 in the BIG EAST, trailing only Denver. The Golden Eagles also rank No. 27 nationally and No. 2 in the conference with 20.50 points per game. MU pairs its scoring output with efficiency, ranking No. 15 nationally and No. 2 in the BIG EAST in shot percentage (.481). Marquette also converts 57.9% of free‑position attempts, which ranks No. 10 nationally and No. 2 in the BIG EAST, consistently turning set‑piece opportunities into goals.
PRESSURE ON THE CAGE
The Golden Eagles generate offense through volume as well as accuracy, ranking No. 39 nationally and No. 3 in the BIG EAST in shots per game (29.1) while placing No. 13 nationally and No. 2 in the conference in shots on goal per game (23.1). Opponents are regularly forced to defend extended possessions.
DEFENSIVE DISRUPTION
Marquette forces 9.60 caused turnovers per game, ranking No. 35 nationally and No. 2 in the BIG EAST. Individually, Sofia Santana averages 1.60 caused turnovers per game, ranking No. 64 nationally and No. 4 in the conference, while six MU players have at least seven caused turnovers this season. In the cage, Jillian Howell ranks No. 53 nationally and No. 4 in the BIG EAST with a .429 save percentage, adding 60 total saves (No. 82 nationally). Her 12.24 goals‑against average ranks No. 73 nationally, anchoring a defense that has held three opponents to single‑digit scoring.
CLEAN CLEARING IN TRANSITION
MU clears at an 86.7% rate, which ranks No. 73 nationally and No. 5 in the BIG EAST, limiting transition opportunities for opponents and helping the Golden Eagles sustain offensive rhythm following defensive stops.
BALANCED SCORING EFFORT
Marquette features four players with at least 22 points and six players with 14 or more goals, illustrating depth that prevents defenses from keying on a single option. Four different Golden Eagles have scored a game‑winning goal this season, reinforcing MU’s ability to close out tight contests.
SERRANO’S BREAKOUT CAMPAIGN
Freshman Dani Serrano has emerged as one of the most productive newcomers in the nation. Serrano leads the BIG EAST and ranks No. 26 nationally with 22 assists, while also sitting No. 27 nationally in assists per game (2.20). She paces Marquette with 46 points, ranking No. 35 nationally and No. 1 in the BIG EAST, and enters the game averaging 4.60 points per contest (No. 30 nationally, No. 2 BIG EAST).
OSBURN POWERS THE SCORING LINE
Tess Osburn leads MU with 28 goals, ranking No. 42 nationally and No. 3 in the BIG EAST, while her 2.80 goals per game place her No. 44 nationally. Osburn also ranks No. 41 nationally in shots on goal per game (4.50) and leads the team with six man‑up goals, providing consistent pressure in both even and special‑teams situations.
BODNER’S TWO-WAY IMPACT
Hanna Bodner anchors the draw unit with 44 draw controls, ranking No. 72 nationally and No. 3 in the BIG EAST at 4.40 per game. As a team, Marquette ranks No. 32 nationally and No. 3 in the BIG EAST in draw controls per game (13.9), a possession edge that fuels offensive tempo.
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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