KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College women's lacrosse team held on to defeat UW-Eau Claire 17-16 on Saturday at MacKenzie Field.
The visiting Blugolds scored first, just 22 seconds into the contest. Kalamazoo evened the score four minutes later and led 4-2 at the end of the first quarter.
Kalamazoo opened the second quarter with four goals in the first six minutes to take an 8-2 lead. UW-Eau Claire scored three of the final four goals to cut the deficit to four (9-5) at halftime.
Kalamazoo led 12-8 midway through the third quarter before four straight goals put the Hornets up 16-8 at the end of three.
Kalamazoo scored the first goal of the fourth quarter to go up 17-8 with 13:46 remaining. UW-Eau Claire scored the next eight goals, including five in the final four minutes to make it a one-goal game (17-16) with 1:28 remaining. Each team turned the ball over twice in the final minute with no additional shot attempts leading to the 17-16 win by the Hornets.
UW-Eau Claire outshot Kalamazoo 36-22 overall, 26-19 on goal. Kalamazoo won 21-of-35 draw controls. UW-Eau Claire had 27 ground balls to Kalamazoo's 15.
Ella Spooner led the Hornets with six goals, one assist and seven draw controls.
Hannah Heeren scored five goals with three assists, nine draw controls, three caused turnovers and two ground balls.
Tessa Fuller scored three goals. Jordan Doyle scored once and had three assists.
Sophie Hartl had six ground balls and three draw controls.
Jordan Flink made seven saves in the first 30 minutes. Poppy Balkema was credited with three saves in the final 30 minutes.
The Hornets are back in action at home on Wednesday, March 6, when Kalamazoo hosts Aquinas College at 5 p.m.