WILMINGTON, OHIO -- The Trine University women's lacrosse team stormed back from a three-goal deficit and then held off Wilmington College (Ohio) to come away with their first victory of the season. Senior Rebecca Plantz (DeWitt, Mich.) led the way for the Thunder accounting for four of the team's goals, with three goals and one assist in the contest.
The Quakers came out strong, taking the early 3-0 lead in the first fifteen minutes. Kelly Angevine, who would lead Wilmington on the day, scored both of her goals during that stretch.
It took the Thunder most of the first half to find their groove offensively. With just under eight minutes remaining the period Plantz tallied her first goal of the contest.
Trine would pull within one in the final minute of the first half when freshman attacker Kristin John (Southbend, Ind.) took a pass from Plantz and put it in the back of the net. The goal was John's fourth of the season while Plantz's assist was her second. The half would end with the Thunder trailing 3-2.
The Thunder offense kept its momentum coming out of the break, with Plantz scoring her second goal of the game on a free position attempt in just the third minute.
The game would remain tied at three for minutes until senior midfielder Samantha Ihrie (Kendallville, Ind.) took advantage of a free position attempt of her own to give the Thunder their first lead of the contest.
Another free position attempt for Trine, converted by junior Kiersten Osowski (Granger, Ind.), gave the Thunder the 5-3 lead with 18 minutes remaining in the game.
The Quakers would score two more goals in the contest, but the Thunder would not lose the lead, sandwiching a goal of their own between those of the opposition. Plantz scored the game-winner with five minutes remaining to give the Thunder the victory 6-5.
In net, junior Audrey Poteet finished the game with 17 saves, including a few crucial ones coming on good free position attempts by Wilmington.
Trine will take the field again on Saturday, March 3, in their home opener. They will face off with Benedictine University (Ill.) in the game which is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.