ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The No. 16 Grand Valley State women's lacrosse team improved to 3-1 on the season with a 17-5 victory over Maryville on Thursday (March 5) afternoon.  The Lakers handed the Saints their first loss of the season.
 
GVSU jumped out to a quick lead in the first minute of play from an unassisted goal by Abbi O'Neal.  For the second consecutive game, O'Neal led the field with five goals and one assist.  Olivia Esposito tallied three goals, while freshman Chloe Foley and senior Sarah Stagaard each recorded two goals en route to a Laker double-digit win. 
 
The game reached the closest score in the 13^th minute with the GVSU lead stalled at three.  Powered by five unanswered goals, the Lakers went up 10-2 on the Saints.  Maryville's Julia Banfield scored just before the end of the first half to account for a 10-3 Laker lead heading into the break. 
 
Led by a hat trick from Foley, GVSU outscored Maryville, 7-2, in the second half of the game.  Midfielders Maggie Hammer and Molly Bursinger dished out two assists each.  In the net, Audrey Maloney recorded two saves, while Abigail Dengler blocked one shot on goal.   
 
The Lakers open home field play next Friday, March 13, in a battle with former GLIAC-rival, Tiffin.