Women’s lacrosse team loses heartbreaker to Alma, 13-12

Merrell breaks two single-game school records

ALMA, Mich. – Freshman Geri Merrell (Battle Creek/Lakeview) set single-game school records for goals (seven) and points (eight), but the Olivet College women's lacrosse team lost a heartbreaker to Alma College, 13-12, today at Bahlke Field in Alma.

Merrell scored the first goal of the game. Alma responded with two goals before senior Cortney Wernette (Remus/Chippewa Hills) tied the game at 2-2. The teams traded the next four goals to force two other ties, with the last time being 4-4 with 10 minutes remaining in the first half.

The Scots responded with four unanswered goals to take an 8-4 lead. Olivet got two goals – one each from Merrell and freshman Taylor Guarnaccia (East Lansing/Haslett) – to cut its deficit in half, 8-6, at halftime.

Alma stretched its lead back to three goals, 11-8, with 22:59 left in the game. The Comets scored four of the next five goals to tie the game at 12-12 with eight minutes remaining in the game. The Scots scored the game-winning goal with 5:57 showing on the clock. Olivet had two shots in the final 5:57 but neither found the back of the net, as one was saved by the keeper and the other was wide of the goal.

Merrell's seven goals raise her season total to 23, which is now just one shy of tying the Olivet single-season record of 24 by Veronica Maidens in 2011. Senior Cara VanDam (Grand Rapids/City) scored two goals. Guarnaccia, Wernette and freshman Mimi Garza (Battle Creek/Pennfield) each had one goal, while Wernette also had an assist. Freshman Sarah Shaw (Grand Haven) played all 60 minutes in net and made 10 saves, while facing 29 shots.

The Comets will travel to Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, Saturday for two games. They will play the host Cardinals at 11 a.m., and then play Thiel (Pa.) College at 3 p.m.