Women’s lacrosse: Olivet rallies to beat Alma, 12-10

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's lacrosse team rallied from a 9-3 deficit in the second half to stun Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Alma College, 12-10, this afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet.

After senior Mackenzie Inman put Olivet ahead with a goal at the 24:02 mark of the first half, the Scots scored five straight goals to go up 5-1. Inman and senior Geri Merrell netted goals to make the score 5-3 before Alma scored the final goals of the half to take a 7-3 lead at the break.

The Scots added two more goals in the first minute and 23 seconds of the second half for a 9-3 lead with 28:37 remaining. Inman scored back-to-back free-position goals and Merrell added an unassisted tally, and Olivet trailed 9-6 at the 23:42 mark. Alma scored its final goal with 20:33 left in the game.

The Comets netted three straight goals – two for Merrell and one for Inman – in a 73-second span to cut its deficit down to one at 10-9 with 18:43 left. Senior Taylor Guarnaccia scored the tying goal on a free-position shot at the 10:24 mark.

There was no scoring for more than five minutes until Guarnaccia buried another free-position shot into the net to put Olivet ahead with 5:06 remaining. Fifty-nine seconds later, Guarnaccia scored an unassisted goal for the final tally of the game.

The Comets doubled-up the Scots in shots, 36-18, and committed six less turnovers, 19-13. Olivet also controlled the draw by winning 15 to eight for Alma. Inman led all players with five goals and 16 shots. Merrell had four goals, and Guarnaccia finished with three goals and 10 draw controls. Junior Hailey Bond played the first half in goal, while sophomore Xavier Vance played in the net for the second half. Both keepers made three saves.

The Comets make the trip to play Adrian College next Wednesday, April 15, at 4:30 p.m.