SHU Women's Lax Drops Home Opener to Defending NAIA Champ

ADRIAN, Mich. -- Siena Heights' Mackenzy Hickner (Clinton Township, Mich./Chippewa Valley) scored four goals as the Saints women's lacrosse team fell to defending national champ Indiana Tech, 16-6, in SHU's first-ever home contest at O'Laughlin Stadium. The contest was a National Women's Lacrosse League match.

Nicole Palm (Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh) added two goals, including the first Saints' home tally 7:36 into the game. Cindy Bradford (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth) made an assist.

Goalkeeper Alessia Vagnini (Garden City, Mich./Ladywood) finished with seven saves. Hickner and Nicole Yeip (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stevenson) added four caused turnovers apiece while Tayleen Marowelli (Adrian, Mich./Lenawee Christian) contributed three for SHU (0-9, 0-8).

Indiana Tech scored the game's first two goals, eventually taking an 8-2 lead into halftime. After the Warriors went up 10-2 in the second half, Hickner led the Saints' on a three-goal run to trim the deficit to 10-5. From there, the visitors closed the contest with a 6-1 stretch.

Alexis DiGiovanni led Indiana Tech (8-3, 7-1) with three goals and three assists, Erin Skodi chipped in with three goals and one assist and Ashlee Barwick put in three goals.

Paige Boshears put in two goals while Chelsea Olson had a goal and two assists. Solo goals were scored by Rachel Schmidt, Lauren Allard and Holly Holod.

Winning goalie Madie Berg stopped five shots.

The Saints will play their home finale on Saturday against Davenport at 3 p.m.