KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College men's lacrosse team fell 11-9 to Calvin in its first conference match of the season on Saturday afternoon.
The Knights got off to an early 5-1 lead after one quarter with back-to-back goals at the 12 and 14-minute marks. Jack Jesko scored the first goal of the game for the Hornets at 12:04.
The teams played to a 1-1 score in the second period to give Calvin a 6-2 lead heading into the break.
Kalamazoo outscored the Knights 3-2 in the second quarter behind a goal from Jake Nugent and back-to-back scoring shots by Jesko and Jack Smith in the last minute of the frame. Calvin drew first in the final quarter before the Hornets took off to score three straight goals, trailing the Knights by 9-8 with four minutes to play. Despite another goal from Kalamazoo as time was winding down, Calvin scored twice more late to win the game.
Jack Smith led Kalamazoo with three goals on five shots attempted.
Brandon Wright and Jack Jesko scored two goals each.
Jake Nugent and Jakob Torzewski each scored once for the Hornets.
Jack Loveland tallied two assists, and JJ Ohren-Hoeft led in ground balls collected with six.
The Hornets will return to play April 10 at Trine for a 1 p.m. game.