WLAX Secures Season Opener Over Eastern Michigan, 20-9

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Marquette University women’s lacrosse team opened the 2026 season with a 20–9 victory over Eastern Michigan on Friday afternoon at the Valley Fields Dome.

The Golden Eagles scored early and often, using a balanced offensive effort and strong draw control play to pull away after a competitive opening quarter. Marquette finished with a 22–8 advantage in draw controls and outshot Eastern Michigan 30–23 in the season opener.

Tess Osburn led the Golden Eagles with seven points (four goals, three assists), while Riley Jenkins also added four goals. Hanna Bodner (three goals) and freshman Dani Serrano (three goals, three assists) also secured hat tricks in the opener. Mikayla Yang earned the start and win in goal, while freshman Jillian Howell came on in relief in the second half, allowing just two goals and eight saves.

Marquette jumped out to a 3-0 lead less than two minutes into the game as Jenkins scored twice and Osburn added a goal. Eastern Michigan responded with four straight goals to briefly take a 4-3 advantage, but the Golden Eagles answered with five of the final six goals in the opening period to take an 8-5 lead after one quarter.

The Golden Eagles broke the game open in the second quarter, outscoring Eastern Michigan 9-2. Bodner opened the scoring 18 seconds into the period, and the Golden Eagles followed with a 6-0 run to close the half. Osburn and Ella Mautz each scored twice in the quarter, while Sarah Beth Burns added a late goal as Marquette carried a 17-7 lead into halftime.

The Golden Eagles continued to control play after the break, allowing just two Eastern Michigan goals over the final 30 minutes. Bodner and Burns scored in the third quarter as Marquette extended the lead, and Riley Schultz added a free‑position goal late in the fourth to cap the scoring.

NOTABLES

• Marquette improves to 5-9 in season openers, winning the past five in a row
• Marquette improves to 10-4 in home openers at Valley Fields, winning the past six in a row
• Marquette won the draw control battle 22–8, its first 20+ draw-control game since March 16, 2025
• MU’s 20 goals are tied for the most in a season opener (20 goals vs. San Diego State on Feb. 12, 2023)
• MU had its first 20-goal performance since March 16, 2025 vs. Detroit Mercy
• Seven different Golden Eagles found the back of the net
• Senior Tess Osburn equaled her career-best in points with seven
  • Osburn’s four goals moved her to 115 career goals, tying for sixth all-time in program history, and 151 career points, three shy of eighth all-time
• Junior Riley Jenkins secured new career-highs in goals (four) and points (four)
• Hanna Bodner added three goals, marking her ninth career game with three or more goals.
• Freshman Dani Serrano recorded an impressive collegiate debut with three goals and three assists for six points.
• Freshman Ella Mautz tallied two goals and one assist in her first collegiate appearance
• Jillian Howell made her collegiate debut in goal, recording eight saves while allowing just two goals in the second half

UP NEXT

Marquette will be back in the Valley Fields Dome this Sunday, Feb. 8, hosting Cincinnati at 12 p.m. CT.

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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.