GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Griffon Lacrosse (1-1) battled throughout but came up short in a 10-8 decision against Westminster (UT) on Friday afternoon in the opening game of its Colorado road swing.

MWSU wasted no time getting on the board, as Maddie Chidester scored at the 13:41 mark off an assist from Brooke Tjernlund to give MWSU a 1-0 lead. Ryann Durrett followed with an unassisted goal to make it 2-0 early.

After Westminster answered to cut into the deficit, Durrett capitalized on a man-up opportunity at 10:38, again assisted by Tjernlund. Madi Brinkman extended the MWSU lead to 4-1 at the 10:13 mark.

Westminster responded late in the first quarter, trimming the MWSU advantage to 4-3 heading into the second.

Brinkman opened the second-quarter scoring at 11:07 off a feed from Maleah Sosa to push the lead to 5-3. Clare Sondrall added an unassisted goal at 7:27 to make it 6-4. However, Westminster closed the half with back-to-back goals, sending the teams into the break tied at 6-6.

Westminster took its first lead early in the third quarter before Brinkman answered with a man-up goal at 10:49, finishing a pass from Chidester to even the score at 7-7. Westminster then netted two consecutive goals to move in front 9-7. Brinkman struck again at 3:22 to pull MWSU within one heading into the final period.

In the fourth, Westminster (UT) added an early goal at 12:07 to extend the lead to 10-8. MWSU pressed in the closing minutes but was unable to find the equalizer.

Brinkman led MWSU with four goals, including two on the man advantage. Durrett added two goals, while Chidester and Sondrall each scored once. Tjernlund recorded two assists to lead the MWSU attack.

In goal, Ava Garaway played all 60 minutes for MWSU, recording 11 saves.

What's Next
MWSU continues its Colorado road trip Sunday with a matchup against host Colorado Mesa. Game time is set for 12 p.m. (CST).