By Mitch Blankespoor
LISLE, Ill. – The Kalamazoo College women's lacrosse team played its inaugural game as a varsity program Saturday against Benedictine (Ill.). The Hornets did not wait long to achieve their first victory, defeating the Eagles 11-8.
"What a great start for our program," Kalamazoo Head Coach Emilia Ward said. "Getting a win in our first game is a great achievement."
Kalamazoo opened up the scoring at the 27:12 mark of the first half. Allia Howard scored unassisted to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead. After Benedictine tied the game five minutes later, Howard scored her second of the day with 18:15 to play in the first half.
With the Hornets leading 2-1, neither team scored until K took a 3-1 lead with 6:56 remaining in the first half when Nicole Huff found the back of the net. Kalamazoo would score three more goals in the next two minutes to extend the lead to 6-1.
Benedictine would get within a single goal (6-5) with 20 minute remaining in regulation, but the Hornets answered with two goals from Alivia DuQuet and Anika Sproull.
Sproull finished with a game-high five goals in her first collegiate game. Huff and Howard finished with two goals each. Regina Scala was credited with four saves in the victory.
"We had great balance in our attack today," said Ward. "Our defense also turned in a very solid performance."
As a team, Kalamazoo took 28 shots compared to 17 for Benedictine. The Hornets held a slight advantage in ground balls (20-17) and yet a bigger margin in draw controls (15-6). Kalamazoo also converted 9-13 clears while holding the Eagles to a mediocre 11-23.
Kalamazoo improves to 1-0 on the season and returns to action tomorrow, Mar. 9 for a 2:00 p.m. game against Aurora (Ill.).