MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Villanova women's lacrosse team defeated Marquette University 15-13 in a suspenseful BIG EAST Conference matchup. This win improves the Wildcats' record to 7-4 overall and 1-0 in conference play, the Golden Eagles fall to 6-7 and 0-1.

Villanova had an impressive performance from sophomore attack, Brittany Bruno who led the team with six goals and one assist for a team high seven points. Bruno garnered her first hat trick in the first half after she scored the last goal of the frame giving the Wildcats a 9-4 advantage headed into the break.

The first half was dominated by the visiting Villanova Wildcats as they held the lead for a majority of the half except when the Golden Eagles netted in their second goal of the game.

Liz Trojan started the scoring for the afternoon after receiving a pass from Katie Comerford. Upon Trojan's goal, Marquette netted in two back-to-back goals to take their only lead of the entire contest.

Villanova then received two goals from Bruno and one from Nicole Concannon who also found the back of the net in the second half. With the Wildcats' 4-2 lead, Marquette scored a third but minutes later Carlye Maita put the 'Cats back up two.

Before Villanova went on a 4-0 scoring run, Charlotte McGuire scored her third goal of the game and the Golden Eagles' fourth. This goal concluded McGuire's scoring run for the contest.

In the last 10 minutes of the half, the Wildcats scored four goals. Grainger Rosati netted in two, Trojan scored her second of the game and Bruno capped off the half with her third.

The second half was a different story for both teams. Villanova dominated the first four minutes and scored two goals within that time. Kim McDonough scored her 11^th goal of the season and, again, Bruno found her way past Jules Horning in the net to give the 'Cats an 11-4 lead.

Marquette quickly changed the goalie in the second half and stood Leva Sophia in the net to finish out the contest. With this adjustment, the Golden Eagles' shots began to fly past Alexa Moro in the goal for Villanova.

The host went on a considerable scoring run and posted a 7-0 run over the course of 15 minutes. Grace Gabriel scored her first to start the Golden Eagles streak. The next six points were divided evenly up by Megan Menzuber, Lindsey Willcocks and Shea Garcia. The group each scored two goals in the streak and were able to tie the score at 11 with 12 minutes on the clock.  

Bruno scored her fifth goal of the game on a free-position shot to put the 'Cats back up by one. Slightly over a minute later Concannon increased the lead to 13-11 with seven minutes left in the half.

Marquette's Garcia and Willcocks helped keep suspense in the game each adding in another goal of their own to tie the score at 13 with five minutes left of play.

Villanova was able to contain the Golden Eagles and pull away offensively. Rosati and Bruno scored the last two goals of the game from assists by Comerford and Lynch and secured the Wildcats' 15-13 conference victory. Lynch led the team with three assists and Comerford followed with two. 

In this year's contest, Villanova outshot Marquette 34-24, picked up 21 ground balls, recorded 14 draw controls and seven saves. Devin Hassinger continued to be vital in keeping the ball in the Wildcats possession and recorded seven of the 14 draw controls. She also caused three turnovers as well as freshman defender Sydney Frank who now has a team high 20 caused turnovers this season.

Marquette scooped up 13 ground balls, won 16 draw controls and saved five shots and also had two less turnovers than the Wildcats.

The Wildcats will travel to Princeton, N.J. for their next matchup on Tuesday, Apr. 2 to face Princeton University for a 7 p.m. start.