Quincy, IL – The Quincy University women's lacrosse team took on the 13th-ranked Grand Valley Lakers on Sunday (Mar. 2). The Hawks battled with a final score of 16-9 in favor of the Lakers

The opening quarter was a back-and-forth battle. The Lakers struck first, scoring just two minutes into the match, but Emily Leal quickly responded with a free-position goal. After an extended midfield struggle, Grand Valley State found the back of the net again. Quincy answered right back as Amelia Ham and Alaina Wilkinson executed a two-man drive from the elbow, with Ham scoring off Wilkinson's assist. The Lakers then shut down the Hawks' remaining offensive attempts in the quarter and capitalized with two more goals.

The second quarter followed a similar pattern, with the Lakers outscoring the Hawks 4-2. Grand Valley State opened with back-to-back goals before Anni Moran put Quincy on the board, driving into the 12-meter arc and beating her defender. The Lakers responded with two more goals, but Ham found the net again after a crease roll with six minutes left in the half. From there, both teams battled hard, but no more goals were scored before halftime.

The second half saw an even scoring matchup, with both teams tallying three goals apiece. Wilkinson converted a free-position opportunity, while Aurora Jason recorded her second goal of the season. Ham added another to her total, keeping the Hawks within striking distance.

The final quarter was a hard-fought contest, but the Hawks came out of it outscored 5-2. Grand Valley State went on a four-goal run in the first six minutes before Moran ended the streak with a goal off an assist from MaryGrace Cummings. Ham closed out Quincy's scoring with her fourth goal of the game, finding the net with under two minutes remaining.

Goalkeeper Madison Whiting-Wagner was a standout performer, keeping the Hawks in the game with 16 saves, tying her career high, and posted a 50 percent save percentage. On offense, Ham led the team with four goals, while Leal controlled the draw with four draw controls.

The Hawks now turn their focus to their next matchup against Northern Michigan University. They'll face the Wildcats at QU Stadium on Wednesday, March 5 at 3:00 p.m.