ASHLAND, OH – The No. 2 UIndy women's lacrosse capped its two-day road trip to Ohio off with a Saturday evening win over Ashland, 17-7. 

The Greyhounds dished the ball around tonight, racking up 11 assists as a team. It's the second straight game the Greyhounds have done that, and the fourth time in the last two seasons, with both from last season coming against Davis and Elkins and Quincy.

Malaena Michielin continued her hot run of form to begin the season with a six point performance on four goal and two assists, while Olivia Bladon was right there with her with a six point effort of her own.

The Greyhounds once again continued to corral plenty of ground balls, scooping up 26 for the second time this season. Prior to the 27 ground balls scooped up against Florida Southern earlier this season, UIndy hadn't had 26 ground balls in a game since 2024 against William Jewell.

INS & OUTS
Similar to all four games this season, the Greyhounds came out with a full head of steam, scoring six of the game's first seven goals in the first quarter. Bladon netted the first two goals of the game less than three minutes in, with Sage Da Silva grabbing the team's third two minutes later.

The Eagles got on the board to make it 3-1 in the first, but six successive goals put UIndy right back in control midway through the second. Bladon, Ella Fornek, Emily Ghazal, Margaret Galloway and Michielin were all part of the six goal first half barrage to give UIndy a 9-3 lead headed to the break.

Ashland was able to keep the UIndy attack at bay for portions of the second half, trading goals with the Greyhounds after Bladon, Ghazal and Michielin all scored in the third. Elle Cimini also found the back of the net for the first time this season late in the third quarter to put UIndy ahead by 10, and forced a running clock for the remainder of the quarter.

Alexa Versaci and Michielin traded a pair of goals with the Eagles in the fourth to keep the deficit at 10, which kept the running clock in effect for over eight minutes of the final quarter. Michielin's fourth quarter goal put her at 16 already for the season, which is half of her total from just a season ago.

Hollis Rang and Mariah Whitfield were essential pieces of the Greyhounds' defensive effort today, finishing with a combined seven ground balls, and a turnover from Rang. Ava Graham also had an impressive five ground balls today, which marks the fourth time she's done so in her Greyhound career.

INSIDE THE BOX
- The Greyhounds had 17 successful clear attempts on 20 chances in this one.
- UIndy scored two free position goals tonight, one a piece from Bladon and Michielin. The two seniors have combined for 39 free position goals in the last two seasons
- Fornek led the Greyhounds today in caused turnovers with two, bringing her career total to 25.
- For the second consecutive game Megan Gehrt recorded two assists for UIndy.

UP NEXT
The Greyhounds return home to face GLIAC foe, Grand Valley on Friday March 6 at 5 p.m. at Key Stadium. UIndy has split the previous two meetings with the Lakers, but still holds a 9-6 all-time series lead.