QUINCY, ILL. – Missouri Western State University got out to a fast start along the banks of the Mississippi River Friday, March 29.
 
Head coach Jessica Berg's Griffons took a 3-2 lead with 6:35 to go in quarter number one on the first of two goals off the stick of midfielder Sam Pruitt (Ellisville, Mo.). The host Quincy University Hawks, though, managed to tie it before period's end and then reeled off five scores in the second stanza, not looking back from there towards a 12-8 decision on the QU Stadium turf.
 
Falling to 6-4 with a loss in the 2024 Great Lakes Valley Conference opener, MWSU's charge was led by Pruitt who finished with six points (two goals and an assist) behind an 11^th straight appearance with multiple goals. Senior net minder Mackenzie Porter (Montrose, N.Y.) compiled four ground ball pick-ups from the back and notched seven saves for her 13^th successive match with five-or-more knockaways.
 
The Griffons (6-4, 0-1 GLVC) resume five in a row away from home taking on Maryville University of Missouri Friday, April 5.