KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College women's lacrosse team won its home opener 13-11 over Ohio Northern University on Saturday.
Kalamazoo scored first and led 5-1 with 3:22 left in the first quarter. The visiting Polar Bears scored three of the next four goals to cut the deficit to two (6-4) at the end of the first quarter.
Ohio Northern scored three of the first four goals in the second quarter to tie it at 7-7 with 7:06 remaining. Kalamazoo scored with 3:17 left and took the 8-7 lead into halftime.
Ohio Northern tied it at 8-8 with a goal just 13 seconds into the third quarter. With the score tied for over 12 minutes, Kalamazoo pulled ahead (9-8) with a goal at the 2:22 mark.
The Hornets scored the first three goals in the fourth to go up 12-8 with 8:29 left in regulation. Ohio Northern scored three consecutive goals to make it a 12-11 game with 3:05 remaining. Ella Spooner's goal with 1:48 left gave Kalamazoo a two-goal advantage (13-11) and, ultimately, the final score.
Kalamazoo outshot Ohio Northern 34-24 overall, 23-18 on goal. Kalamazoo won 18 of the 27 draw controls and had a higher clear percentage, although both teams finished with 24 turnovers.
Ella Spooner led the Hornets offensively with six goals and one assist.
Hannah Heeren scored three goals with two assists, 14 draw controls, five ground balls and three caused turnovers.
Tessa Fuller also scored three goals with an assist.
Mackenzie Newhall was second on the team in ground balls (3) and caused turnovers (2). Sophie Hartl was second with three draw controls.
Jordan Flink made five saves in goal in the first half. Poppy Balkema made two saves in the second half.
Kalamazoo plays at home again next Saturday, March 2, when the Hornets host UW-Eau Claire at 1 p.m.