Livonia, Mich. — The  #10 Aquinas women's lacrosse team competed on Sunday (Feb. 18) against the Madonna Crusaders at Madonna. The Crusaders manage to strike first but the Saints went on to take over the contest. AQ held the reigns all the way to a 14-6 decision as time expired.

This win puts AQ to a 1-1 (1-0) season start.

Aquinas 14, Madonna 6

The game started with a hustle as both teams looked to create an early lead. Just over eight minutes in the first, goal was claimed. Madonna managed to get one by the No. 10-ranked Saints. AQ did not take this early deficit lightly as Aquinas went to put up seven unanswered goals, four of which occurred in the first quarter.

Alex Sullivan was the first to score for the Saints with an assist from Kennadie Minerich after a Crusader penalty have the Saints a player advantage. Just 22 seconds later, Minerich claimed her first goal of the game unassisted. Alexis Villarini and Shaylin Rings joined the unassisted goal club before the expiration of the first quarter. 

Just 30 seconds into the second, Minerich tallied her second goal after another Madonna penalty. Kayelyn Hall and Trinity Reynoso joined the scoring drive next, both assists came from Sullivan with 10:41 remaining in the second. 

Madonna fought their way back and found another goal, changing the difference to 7-2. But history looked to repeat itself as this fired up the Saints, who went on to score two goals before the end of the half. Reynoso found hers unassisted, while Minerich secured a hat trick with a Rings assist. 

The Saints walked into halftime with a 9-2 advantage.

That advantage continued to grow as AQ tallied two more unanswered goals in the third. Minerich continued her spree with another, as Rings found herself an unassisted tally.

The Crusaders showed some more life in the fourth as they opened up the fourth quarter with a goal, but AQ claimed two more soon after. Sullivan unassisted and Rings claimed her own hat trick with the third goal being assisted by Minerich. 

The Crusaders were the team to go on a spree this time around, getting three consecutive goals. AQ's Hall went to tie the bow on the contest as she claimed the last goal. 

#10 AQ took down the Crusaders in a dominant showing, 14-6.

By the Numbers

Minerich had a day as she netted four goals and two assists, giving her six total points. 

Rings stapled three goals and one assist for four points.

Hall and Reynoso claimed two points with two goals each.

Sullivan had four total points, splitting the difference with two goals and two assists.

In total Aquinas had 30 shots, netting 14 giving them a .4667 goal rating. 

AQ keeper Kennedy Stilson had eight total saves in goal.

This is the first victory for the Saints this season, but also the first victory for head coach Chip Vasquez as a Saint.

Up Next

AQ will continue their away game spree with a 12 p.m. contest against Albion on Saturday (Feb. 24) at Albion.