WLAX Takes on Niagara Saturday

The Marquette University women’s lacrosse team (4-3, 0-0 BIG EAST) wraps a five-game road stretch this Saturday at Niagara (1-6, 0-0 MAAC). First draw is set for 11 a.m. CT, with ESPN+ featuring the broadcast.

LAST TIME OUT
Marquette secured a dominant 19-9 road result at Youngstown State last Friday (March 6). Senior Tess Osburn powered the attack with a career‑high six goals, including five in the first half, while Riley Jenkins added a hat trick and Dani Serrano posted a career‑best seven points (2G, 5A). The Golden Eagles recorded season highs with 25 ground balls, 13 assists, and 32 points, and forced 12 turnovers while holding YSU to four first-half goals. Multiple players delivered multi‑point outings as MU snapped its three‑game skid and earned its first road win of the season.

HISTORY VS. NIAGARA
Marquette holds a 5–2 advantage in its all‑time series with Niagara, a matchup marked by close contests in recent years. The Golden Eagles have won four of the last five meetings, including a 16-11 victory at Valley Fields in 2025, and a dramatic 13-12 home win in 2023. Three of MU’s five wins in the series have come at Valley Fields, while Niagara’s two victories — in 2022 and 2024 — both came on its home turf in Lewiston.

SCOUTING THE PURPLE EAGLES
Niagara enters the matchup at 1–6, coming off a 10-19 loss at Southern California in its most recent outing. The Purple Eagles average 7.9 goals per game and are led by Kensington Keane (11G, 4A, 15 pts), Maddy Gill (10G, 3A, 13 pts) and Michaela Delles (9G, 4A, 13 pts), who anchor a balanced top scoring unit. Niagara has generated 112 ground balls and 66 caused turnovers, but continues to battle possession deficits after being outdrawn 136–38 and outshot 249–165 on the season.

BLACK, PROGRAM EARN 100TH WIN
Head coach Meredith Black, now in her 14th year leading the program she built from the ground up, led Marquette to the 100th win in program history last Friday at Youngstown State. Since guiding MU into its inaugural 2013 season, Black has taken the team from start‑up status to national relevance, highlighted by a program‑record 15–4 season and NCAA Tournament berth in 2023, followed by another 10‑win campaign in 2025.

HIGH-POWERED, EFFICIENT OFFENSE
Marquette brings one of the nation’s most efficient attacks into the Niagara matchup, averaging 15.86 goals per game—No. 6 nationally and No. 1 in the BIG EAST—on 111 goals from 203 shots, converting at a .547 shot percentage, the No. 3 mark in Division I and the top mark in the BIG EAST. MU adds volume with 29.0 shots per game and 24.14 shots on goal per game, ranking No. 11 nationally and again No. 1 in the league.

BALL MOVEMENT DETERMINES THE TEMPO
The Golden Eagles continue to rank among the best passing teams in the country, averaging 7.43 assists per game, good for No. 17 in the NCAA and the top mark in the BIG EAST. Freshman Dani Serrano leads MU with 18 assists, ranking No. 1 in the conference and No. 19 nationally, while Ella Mautz‘s eight assists help stabilize one of the most balanced units in the league.

MIDDLE-QUARTER MOMENTUM
The Golden Eagles are dominating the middle of games, outscoring opponents 61–44 in the second and third quarters combined. Their 29–16 third‑quarter margin ranks among the BIG EAST’s best mid‑game scoring surges and mirrors a Niagara team that has been outscored 107–55 overall.

EIGHT-METER EXCELLENCE
Marquette owns the best free‑position percentage in the nation, converting 19-of-26 (.731) attempts, while opponents sit at 40.6%. MU also ranks No. 1 in the BIG EAST from the eight‑meter line, powered by Burns (4), Serrano (3), Osburn (2), and Jenkins (2). This remains MU’s largest statistical advantage entering the Niagara game.

DEEPENING DEFENSIVE IMPACT
MU’s pressure defense remains a strength, averaging 10.14 caused turnovers per game—No. 27 nationally and No. 3 in the BIG EAST—with Sofia Santana and Mary Velner tied for the team lead at 11 CTs each. Marquette also ranks among the league’s best at 16.14 ground balls per game, helping generate extra possessions.

SERRANO’S BREAKOUT CAMPAIGN
Freshman Dani Serrano has emerged as one of the most productive newcomers in the nation with 37 points (19G, 18A), ranking No. 20 in total points nationally and No. 1 in the BIG EAST. Her 5.29 points per game ranks No. 13 nationally and No. 1 in the league, while her .679 shot percentage is top‑5 nationally and also No. 1 in the BIG EAST among high‑volume shooters.

OSBURN’S SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Senior Tess Osburn enters with 23 goals—No. 26 nationally and top‑3 in the BIG EAST—while shooting 63.9% and landing 91.7% of her shots on frame. She also leads MU with two game‑winning goals, second among BIG EAST attackers and top‑25 nationally.

BODNER’S TWO-WAY IMPACT
Hanna Bodner leads Marquette with 27 draw controls, ranking No. 6 in the BIG EAST at 3.86 per game, while adding 16 goals on 33 shots. MU ranks No. 3 in the BIG EAST and No. 27 nationally in total draw controls (14.14 DC/G), a major advantage against Niagara, which has been drastically outdrawn 136–38 this season.

BURNS FINDING RYTHYM
Junior Sarah Beth Burns contributes across all phases with 13 goals, 2 assists, 16 draw controls and a team‑leading four free‑position goals, ranking among the BIG EAST’s top five in eight‑meter finishing. Her 59.1% shooting further strengthens MU’s midfield scoring presence.

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.