GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – In the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) opener, the Trine University women's lacrosse team fell at Calvin University by a score of 11-9. The Thunder were able to hang tough and remain in the contest despite a 20-4 difference in draw controls.
Trine is now 3-3 this season and begin MIAA play 0-1. Calvin has won their first two conference games and are 6-4 overall.
The Knights were able to net the first two goals of the game, but the Thunder countered with a pair of scores just before the end of the first quarter. Calista Richmond was able to convert a free position try for the team's first goal with 3:22 left in the period and Avelyn McCall hit the back of the net with 1:13 to go to tie the game.
Once more, Calvin used a strong start in the second quarter as well to claim a 4-2 lead. Richmond once again scored late, but it was the Knights who took a 5-3 lead into halftime.
A goal by Calvin put them ahead by three scores within the first minute of the third quarter, but from there the offense began to click for Trine. Richmond netted her third goal of the afternoon, followed by Brooke Hoag and Danielle Gargiulo. Hoag's goal came off a free position attempt and Gargiulo's came with a man up opportunity.
After tying the game late in the third, the Knights responded with three straight scores of their own to make it 9-6. Gargiulo recorded a goal with 9:09 remaining, but Calvin answered with another score less than one minute later. With their backs against the wall, the Thunder showed grit and took advantage of a man up opportunity and got to within one at 10-9 with just over three minutes remaining. Once again it was Hoag and Gargiulo doing the scoring for the visitors.
In the final minute, Trine desperately tried to get the game back to even and pulled the goalie Maddy Kasten. Unfortunately, the Knights converted an empty netter to sneak away with an 11-9 victory. Before exiting, Kasten made 13 saves, the second-most in a game this season, and had three groundballs.
The team won the turnover battle 20-15, but were outshot 31-24. Gargiulo and Alyssa Keptner tied for the team lead with three caused turnovers each. Kasten and Ella Dougherty scooped up a team-high three groundballs apiece.
The conference slate continues on Tuesday, April 11 at Hope College. That game begins at 4 p.m.