In a contest defined by shifting momentum and late-game desperation, the Marquette University men’s lacrosse team secured a hard-fought 11–10 victory over St. John’s on Saturday afternoon in Queens, New York. The win, which required two overtime periods to decide, marks a significant milestone for the Golden Eagles as they establish a strong foothold in the conference standings.
The Marquette men’s lacrosse victory over St. John’s was not a simple path to success. After falling behind early in the first quarter, the Golden Eagles spent much of the afternoon fighting for control, eventually relying on a second-overtime strike to seal the result. The victory pushes Marquette to a 6–4 overall record and an undefeated 2–0 start in BIG EAST conference play, the first time the program has achieved such a start since 2022.
Central to the effort was Carsen Brandt, who delivered a career-best performance. Brandt recorded seven points, consisting of two goals and five assists, although becoming only the eighth player in the history of the Marquette program to reach the 100-career point milestone. His ability to distribute the ball proved decisive, particularly in the final moments of the game.
A Battle of Momentum in Queens
The game began with St. John’s asserting dominance on their home turf. The Red Storm came out with high intensity, netting three goals in the first quarter to seize an early lead. Marquette struggled initially to find their offensive rhythm but managed to keep the game within reach by scoring two goals of their own in the opening frame.
As the game progressed toward the half, Marquette began to chip away at the deficit. Through a combination of disciplined ball movement and defensive stops, the Golden Eagles managed to level the score at 4–4 by halftime, setting the stage for a volatile second half.
The third quarter saw a tactical shift for Marquette. The Golden Eagles found their stride, scoring three unanswered goals to take a brief lead. The scoring surge was a collective effort, with goals from Beau Westphal, Jake Bair, and Ethan Salvia providing the momentum needed to carry a narrow advantage into the final period of regulation.
But, the lead was far from secure. In the fourth quarter, Marquette appeared to be pulling away, extending their advantage to 10–8 behind two goals from Brandt and a critical contribution from Andrew Bowman. But St. John’s mounted a fierce late-game rally, scoring twice in the final minutes to tie the game at 10–10, forcing the contest into overtime.
The Overtime Deadlock
The first overtime period was a defensive stalemate. Both teams created scoring opportunities, but as the pressure mounted, the defenses tightened. Goalkeepers on both sides made key saves, preventing a sudden-death conclusion and pushing the game into a second overtime period.
The deadlock finally broke when Brandt, who had been the engine of the Marquette offense all afternoon, found Nolan Rappis. Rappis capitalized on the opportunity, burying the game-winning goal to end the battle and secure the 11–10 win.
| Key Metric | Marquette (MLAX) | St. John’s |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 11 | 10 (2OT) |
| Top Scorer | Carsen Brandt (7 pts) | N/A |
| Goalkeeper Saves | Lucas Lawas (14) | N/A |
| BIG EAST Record | 2–0 | 0–2 |
Individual Breakouts and Defensive Stability
While Brandt’s milestone stole the headlines, the victory was bolstered by several other standout performances. Andrew Bowman made his first career start at attack and proved to be a vital asset, recording a career-high four points. His integration into the starting lineup provided a fresh dimension to the Marquette attack that St. John’s struggled to contain in the latter half of the game.
On the defensive end, Lucas Lawas was instrumental in keeping the Golden Eagles in the game. Lawas anchored the defense with 14 saves, many of which came during the high-pressure environment of the fourth quarter and the first overtime. His ability to deny high-percentage shots prevented St. John’s from taking a lead they might have defended.
The defensive effort was supported by a physical presence in the midfield and backline. Peter Detwiler contributed two caused turnovers and three ground balls, while Brenden Boyle tied his career high with two caused turnovers. These disruptive plays were essential in limiting the Red Storm’s possession time during the critical closing minutes of regulation.
Conference Implications and Next Steps
The win is more than just a tally in the win-loss column. We see a statement of intent within the BIG EAST. By starting 2–0, Marquette has placed itself in a strong position to compete for a high seed in the conference tournament. The resilience shown in Queens—overcoming an early deficit and surviving a double-overtime thriller—suggests a level of mental toughness that will be necessary as the schedule toughens.
The Golden Eagles now face one of their most daunting challenges of the season. The team will travel to Washington, D.C., to face Georgetown University, the defending BIG EAST champion. The matchup represents a litmus test for Marquette’s aspirations this season, pitting the surging Golden Eagles against the established standard of the conference.
The opening faceoff against Georgetown is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT. Updates on the matchup and official team rosters can be found via Marquette Athletics.
Do you think Marquette can maintain this momentum against the defending champions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
