K.C. Kennedy won a career-best 16 face-offs.
WAUWATOSA, Wis. -- No. 12 Marquette moved to 2-1 in BIG EAST Conference play after holding off St. John's, 14-12, on Saturday afternoon at Hart Park.
After 30 minutes of play, Marquette (9-2, 2-1 BIG EAST) held an advantage in shots, ground balls, faceoffs, and only committed two turnovers.
However, even after reeling off two stretches of 3-0 runs, the Golden Eagles were held scoreless over the final 9:58 of the first half and St. John's (3-8, 1-1 BIG EAST) was able to even up the game at 7-7 by scoring just 1:09 into the second half.
The tide of the game turned when MU received the only extra-man opportunity of the game in which Ryan McNamara potted a shot past SJU goalie, Harry Burke. Marquette used a 5-2 run, following McNamara's goal in the final 12:28 of the third quarter to take a 13-9 lead.
During this stretch, face-off specialist K.C. Kennedy was able to win 7-of-9 draws to allow the Golden Eagles to control the ball. Junior Blaine Fleming scored two third-quarter goals and graduate attacker Jordan Greenfield completed his fifth hat trick of the season, while also dishing out two assists to lead MU.
Kennedy finished the game winning 16-of-29 face-offs, a career high for the redshirt junior.
The Marquette starting attackers finished with a total of 13 points after Kyran Clarke tied a program record with five assists.
Goalie Jimmy Danaher was able to withstand St. John's fourth-quarter rally by making three saves to finish with nine on the day.
