ALMA, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College men's lacrosse team defeated Alma 17-4 in the MIAA opener on Saturday, Apr. 6. The Hornets improved their record to 4-5 (1-0 MIAA), and the Scots fell to 1-7 (0-1 MIAA).
Kalamazoo scored all seven goals in the first quarter to take a demanding lead. The Hornets also scored the first two goals in the second quarter to go up 9-0 before Alma responded with one goal. K would push its lead back to nine before halftime, leading the Scots 10-1.
The third quarter was the same as the second, with Kalamazoo scoring the first two goals, Alma scoring once, and the Hornets scoring again. Leading 13-2 heading into the fourth quarter, K scored three more goals to take a 16-2 advantage. The Scots would put away two of the final three goals in the resounding Hornet win.
Kalamazoo outshot Alma 51-30, including 32-18 on goal. The Scots won 13 of the 24 faceoffs, but the Hornets picked up 30 ground balls to Alma's 28. K caused 17 of Alma's 35 total turnovers, was 18-23 on clear attempts, and was 3-4 in man-up situations.
Cam VanGalder led the Hornets offensively with five goals and an assist for six points. Jake Asnis also did his part by scoring three goals. Logan Gillis finished with four points on a goal and three assists.
Sam Hughes, Ryan Warezak, Ronin Honda, Colby Skinner, Mitchel VanGalder, Dylan Adkins, Ethan Huebsch, and Eli Routt each scored one goal. Warezak, Honda, M. VanGalder, and Mike Hume also had one assist a piece.
Hughes was 10-12 at the faceoff X and had a team-high five ground balls. Lukas Graff picked up four ground balls, and Skinner led the team with three caused turnovers. Jack Bungart finished with three ground balls and two caused turnovers.
Dylan Wickey (2-2) made seven saves in goal in the first half. Eric Paternoster played the third quarter and made one save. Tony Valade and Larson Makie split the fourth quarter, making three saves each.
Kalamazoo continues MIAA play at home against Albion on Tuesday, Apr. 9, at 7 p.m.