FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The #8 Indiana Tech women's lacrosse team hosted the #7 ranked Missouri Baptist Spartans in a top ten Saturday showdown, where the Warriors come out victorious in a thrilling home opener.
 
In the preseason poll, the Warriors would start the season at #7, one spot ahead of the Spartans, but the two sides would flip places in the first poll, despite the Warriors not playing a game yet. Tech would make sure to show the committee why they were ranked higher to start the season with a 17-12 win on Saturday. Michelle Farrell would start the scoring for the Warriors in just 24 seconds, assisted by Brook Maul. Missouri Baptist would then score four straight to take the lead, but the Warriors would score six of the next seven goals to close the half with a 7-5 lead. They would also score the first three goals to start the third quarter to go up 10-5. The two sides would then trade goals back and forth through the middle of the fourth quarter as the Warriors maintained the lead. Missouri Baptist would get within three goals with eight minutes to go but another 3-0 run for the Warriors, courtesy of Farrell and Lilliana Rivera, sealed the deal as Tech held off the Spartans for the win. Rivera would lead the Warriors with six goals and seven points, while Farrell scored a hattrick and led the team with two assists for five total points on the day. Farrell would also lead the team in ground balls with seven and draw controls with six. Jada Pope would have a good day offensively for the Warriors, recording three goals and one assist, while Lexi Gallini led the defense with four caused turnovers and five ground balls. Kat Hoff anchored Tech in goal with a splendid performance. The Williston, Vermont native had 14 saves, helping the Warriors earn their first win of the season!
 
Tech now improves to 1-1 overall and will open conference play in their next game on Saturday, March 14^th against #10 Lawrence Tech in Southfield, Michigan.