HUNTSVILLE, AL – In the UIndy women's lacrosse team's first game at No. 1 in the country since 2023, the Greyhounds' fourth quarter comeback fell just short to No. 4-ranked Florida Southern. 

Following a three-goal barrage from UIndy in the middle stages of the fourth quarter from Olivia Bladon and Sage Da Silva, Florida Southern found today's winner with six minutes remaining.

Malaena Michielin finished with four points on two goals and two assists, continuing her hot start to the 2026 campaign. Bladon also notched her second straight goal performance today, grabbing both goals in the fourth quarter.

Today's top-5 match up was played at a neutral site in Huntsville, Ala.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hounds jumped out to a 4-2 first quarter lead which included both of Michielin's goals as well as goals from both Alexa Versaci and Reese Fahlke. In just her second game as a freshman in the Crimson and Grey, Fahlke has netted two goals in as many games.

Following Emily Ghazal's goal earlier in the second quarter to give UIndy a 5-2 lead, Florida Southern took advantage of its opportunities in the second and third quarters to vault ahead by three headed into the final 15 minutes of action. The Moccasins' Annesley Flint kept the Greyhounds' attack at bay for the middle portion of the game, holding the Greyhounds scoreless for over 31 minutes of game action.

Down three the Hounds needed a response and got just that, Bladon who compiled five shots on the day, found the back of the net twice in less than two minutes to cut the lead to just one, 8-7. Da Silva squared the game on a woman-up advantage at the eight minute mark. That was the Third Team Preseason All-American's second goal of the season.

The Moccasins broke the deadlock with six minutes left on a free position goal from Lindsey Tolliver to push Florida Southern ahead, 9-8. Florida Southern held the Greyhounds without a shot in the final six minutes of action, and caused two crucial turnovers to salt the game away and clinch the one-point win for Florida Southern.

INSIDE THE BOX
- Eight Greyhounds recorded at least two ground balls today, including three a piece from Hollis Rang and Bladon.
- Only three Greyhounds were credited with a caused turnover today, including Amanda Hurry who finished with two, while Mariah Whitfield and Da Silva caused one each.
- Versaci scored her 14th career goal in a Greyhound uniform today.

UP NEXT
UIndy will head to Canton, OH to take on Walsh on Friday Feb. 27, for its first unranked match up of the 2026 season. The Hounds handedly beat the Cavaliers last season at Key Stadium, 15-5, and lead the all-time series 7-0.