ANGOLA, Ind. -- Freshman Chloe Vruno (Geneva, Ill. / St. Francis) and sophomore Kristin John (South Bend, Ind. / St. Joe's) both recorded eight points as the Trine University women's lacrosse team came back from down three at halftime to defeat visiting Alma College 17-16.
The Scots scored first in the contest taking a 2-0 lead before the Thunder could respond. The opposition continued to build their lead over the first quarter of the contest. Alma's largest lead of the day came after a goal just inside of 13 minutes left in the first half, putting them up 8-2.
From there freshman Mia Schlueter (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Carrol) started the comeback with a spectacular goal. It started in her own defensive end with a caused turnover before she took the ball the length of the field for the goal, her first of the season.
Spurred on by the goal, the team would outscore the Scots 5-2 in the final ten minutes of the half, cutting the lead to three as they entered the intermission trailing 10-7.
Alma once again scored the first goals of the period in the second half building their lead to five again at 12-7. The Thunder responded with three of their own to cut it back a 12-10 game.
After that, the two teams would trade goals until just inside of ten minutes remaining when Alma took back a three-goal lead at 15-12. From their John and Vruno put on a spurt of offense that closed the gap and then took the lead for the Thunder. The team scored five unanswered goals to take a 17-15 lead with two and a half minutes remaining in the contest.
The Scots pulled back within one with just over a minute remaining and won the resulting draw to give themselves a chance to tie the game. Sophomore Emily Morthorst (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Homestead), despite struggling at times during the game, came up with a huge save with 40 seconds remaining in the game and then sealed the victory by running out the clock with a drawn foul. She finished the game with 13 saves and her fifth win of the season.
Vruno and John led the way for the Thunder each finishing with eight points. Vruno finished the contest with five goals and three assists, both career highs for the freshman. John tied her Trine single-game record from earlier this season with eight goals.
Senior Lauren Hall (Hartford City, Ind. / Blackford) came in second with a goal and an assist during the contest. Her lone goal started the Thunder's run to take the lead.
Joining Schlueter were sophomore Hannah Nelson (Libertyville, Ill. / Libertyville) and freshman Peri Darmofal (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Homestead) to finish off the scoring, each coming away with a goal each.
The Thunder improve to 5-7 overall and 1-3 in the MIAA following the comeback win. They will continue their season by traveling to Olivet College for another MIAA contest. The game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16.
