ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Western lacrosse team closed out its four-game homestand to open their inaugural season Sunday with a dominate 17-7 victory over GLVC rival Maryville.  It was a non-league game but the Griffons were able to even up their record at 2-2, while the Saints fall to 0-3.
 
Maryville struck first 38 second into the game, but that was the only lead for the Saints on Sunday.  MWSU got back-to-back goals from Jorja Schooler and Madison Brady before Maryville tied the game at 2-2.  It was all Missouri Western after that as they scored four unanswered goals and went on to lead 8-3 at halftime.
 
The Saints scored two of the first three goals to start the second half before the Griffons scored seven straight goals to put the game away.
 
Brady had a big game for Missouri Western as she had five goals and three assists, while Jordan Shughrue added four goals and one assist.  Catherine Langmaid (3 goals), Schooler (2 goals, 1 assist), Karlin York (2 goals, 1 assist) and Maggie McDaniel (1 goal) all scored for the Griffons on Sunday.
 
The MWSU defense held Maryville to just 11 shots on goal as Mackenzie Porter made three saves for the Griffons.  Missouri Western finished with 27 shots on goal, they dominated draw controls 18-9 and had 32 ground balls to the Saints 24.
 
The Griffons will make their first ever road trip this weekend as they travel to Colorado.  Missouri Western will play at Colorado-Colorado Springs at 4:00 p.m. on Friday and then they'll play at Colorado State-Pueblo Sunday at 12:00 p.m.