KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Trine University women's lacrosse team came up with a hard-fought victory on the strength of their second-half play defeating Kalamazoo College by the score of 15-13.
Both teams came up with eight goals in the first half to enter intermission in a tie. The Thunder offense was firing in a balanced fashion during the half with four different players each coming away with two goals in the half.
The Hornets struck first in the second half taking the lead at 9-8, but it was short-lived as freshman Nikki Hibler (West Lafayette, Ind. / Harrison) responded just under a minute later.
Again Kalamazoo would take the lead with just under 25 minutes remaining in the half. The opposition would sustain the 10-9 lead much longer than their first lead of the half, holding on to the lead under the 17-minute mark.
It was then that senior Kristin John (South Bend, Ind. / St. Joe's) found her rhythm. She would go on to outscore the Hornet's 3-1 over the next seven minutes, giving the Thunder a 12-11 lead. Teammates Kristen Nguyen (Locust Grove, Ga. / Luella) and Liv Ghent (Byron Center, Mich. / Caledonia) followed up with two more unanswered goals to build that lead to 14-11.
Kalamazoo responded with under six minutes remaining with two goals of their own to pull back within one.
Freshman Danielle Gargiulo (Downers Grove, Ill. / Downers Grove) iced the game with 87 seconds remaining giving the Thunder their final lead of 15-13.
John led the way for the team with five goals in the contest. Gargiulo and Ghent both finished with three. Ghent would also lead the way with two assists in the contest.
Junior Jillian Rejczyk (Wauconda, Ill. / Wauconda) played the game in goal for the team making 16 important saves to help Trine to victory.
The Thunder improve to 4-2 overall following the victory. They will take on Calvin University on Saturday, March 20 for their next game. The opening draw is scheduled for 1 p.m.