As measuring sticks go, this one was a doozy for the John Carroll women's lacrosse team. 

Eight unanswered goals to break open a 2-2 tie was all the impetus needed for defending Ohio Athletic Conference champion Mount Union to pull away for a 17-7 victory Wednesday night at Don Shula Stadium.

In a meeting between the two teans with the best winning percentages and highest offensive outputs in the OAC, it was defense that ruled early. After ten minutes of play, the score stood 2-2 as JCU tallied goals by Grace Curatolo and Brooke McQuinn.

The score was still close entering the final 12 minutes of the opening half of play when the Purple Raiders embarked on the game's decisive run. Ahead 3-2, Mount Union used seven consecutive goals from the 11:31 mark until thr 1:10 mark to build the lead to 11-2. Five of the seven goals were free position markers.

Grace Curatolo scored just before the half for John Carroll, but the Blue Streaks still trailed 11-3. 

Mount Union controlled pace in the second half and outscored JCU, 6-4, to move to 9-3 overall and 3-0 in league play.

John Carroll, which fell to 7-3 overall and 1-1 in the OAC, had a 15-10 edge in draw controls but had trouble with possession, losing the ground ball battle 0-4 and committing 20 turnovers to just ten for the Purple Raiders.