Women’s lacrosse: Olivet defeat Dallas, 8-6, for fourth straight win

IRVING, Texas – The Olivet College women's lacrosse team extended its win streak to four games with an 8-6 win over University of Dallas (Texas) today at Crusader Field in Irving, Texas. With the win, the Comets also equal the single-season school record for wins.

Olivet jumped out to an early 2-0 advantage behind goals by seniors Geri Merrell and Taylor Guarnaccia at the 27:38 and 23:08 mark, respectively. Dallas scored two quick goals to level the score at 2-2 with 18:30 left in the first half.

Merrell put the Comets back up, 3-2, on an unassisted tally 43 seconds later. The Crusaders took their first lead of the game on a pair of goals with 15:14 and 8:04 remaining in the opening half. Olivet tied the game with 3:13 left before halftime when senior Brittany Hayes found the back of the goal off a pass from Guarnaccia.

The Comets took the lead for good with two goals – one each for Merrell and Guarnaccia – in a little less than two-minute span of the second half. Dallas got one goal back before Merrell and Hayes sealed Olivet's win with back-to-back goals around the midway point of the half. The Crusaders netted one final goal with 4:29 left in the game.

Dallas held a 28-23 advantage in total shots. Sophomore keeper Xavier Vance collected 18 saves, including five in the final four minutes and 15 seconds after the Crusaders had cut their deficit down to two points. Merrell finished with a game-high four goals. Guarnaccia and Hayes each scored twice, while Guarnaccia also had an assist for three points. Merrell topped the team with seven shots.

Olivet stays in Texas and will head south to Georgetown for two games at Southwestern University. On Saturday, the Comets will play University of Puget Sound (Wash.) at 1 p.m. EST and on Sunday, they play the host Pirates at 2 p.m. EST.