MARQUETTE, Mich. — While Griffon Lacrosse scored a game-high seven goals in the fourth quarter alone, their comeback came a bit too late, as they fell to Northern Michigan, 16-13, to close out Saturday's season opener at the Superior Dome.

It was the Griffons (0-1) who scored first to kick off the 2023 campaign, with Madison Brady slinging in a goal just barely over minute into the game. However, Northern Michigan (1-0) opened up the game with an overwhelming barrage in the first quarter, scoring six times early on, scoring five in a row after Brady's initial goal. Brady and Sam Pruitt both found a goal late in the first to close out the first quarter down, 6-3.

Missouri Western was held to just one goal in the second period, while NMU went off for four more. This time, it was Mikaela Ness getting in on the action, scoring on an unassisted goal to cut the deficit to 8-4.Norther Michigan tallied two more goals to take a 10-4 halftime lead, but the Griffons had something in store for the second half. 

After NMU built a 14-6 lead throughout the third quarter, Jordan Coulon got the Griffs back in gear thanks to an assist from Pruitt. Under a minute later, Karlin York cut NMU's lead to 14-8. After two more Wildcat goals, the Griffons went on a 5-0 run to close out the game, including three more goals by York. However, NMU had scored two goals while a woman up before MWSU went on the counterattack, keeping the Griffons at arm's length.

NOTABLES

• Brady and Coulon both recorded hat tricks with three goals, while York finished with four.
• Coulon led the the Griffons with six shots on goal and three ground balls. 
• With three goals and one assist, Brady collected four points, pushing her over the century mark for her career and putting her at 101.

UP NEXT
Missouri Western will do battle with Concordia-Ann Arbor (0-0) on Sunday at 11 a.m. CST back at the Superior Dome.