FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Kalamazoo College women's lacrosse team began its 2024 season with a road game at Indiana Tech on Wednesday (Feb. 21). The Hornets outscored the Warriors 7-3 in the second quarter for a 10-8 halftime led, but then saw the lead disappear as IIT outscored K 6-1 in the fourth quarter for the 17-15 win.
In the first quarter, Indiana Tech scored the game's first goal, and Kalamazoo responded with two for a one-goal lead. The Warriors scored four straight, including two with a person advantage, before the Hornets netted the quarter's final goal. Now trailing 7-3 early in the second quarter, Kalamazoo scored seven goals to Indiana Tech's one for the remainder of the half to take a 10-8 lead into halftime.
The Hornets continued to build their lead up to four in the third quarter, scoring three of the following four goals. The Warriors knocked the deficit down to three at the end of the third by putting away two goals to K's one. Then Indiana Tech locked down defensively in the fourth quarter, allowing just one Kalamazoo goal while scoring six for the 17-15 comeback win.
Indiana Tech slightly outshot Kalamazoo overall (33-32) and on net (26-24). The Hornets won 19 of the 35 draws and had three fewer turnovers (26-29) than the Warriors. Indiana Tech had 46 ground balls to Kalamazoo's 45, while the Hornets caused 24 turnovers to the Warriors' 21.
Hannah Heeren filled out the stat sheet to kick off her senior season, leading the team with 10 ground balls, 10 draw controls, and eight caused turnovers to go with her four goals.
Ella Spooner was the leading goal scorer at six, collecting five draw controls, four ground balls, three caused turnovers, and an assist.
In her collegiate debut, Tessa Fuller finished with four goals and an assist with three ground balls. Jordan Doyle also had a big part in the offensive attack with a goal and four assists.
Defensively, Mackenzie Newhall made an impact in her first collegiate game with six ground balls and five caused turnovers. Mairin Boshoven finished with three ground balls and two forced turnovers, while Natalie Maki added five ground balls.
Lily Grelak, Sophie Hartl, and Maki each had an assist on the day.
In the cage, Jordan Flink played the first half and made two saves on 10 opportunities, allowing eight goals. Poppy Balkema debuted for the Hornets, collecting seven saves on 16 chances with nine goals allowed.
Kalamazoo will host Ohio Northern in the 2024 home opener at MacKenzie Field on Saturday (Feb. 24), beginning at 1 p.m.