Women’s lacrosse: Seniors lead Olivet to 13-10 win over Kalamazoo

OLIVET, Mich. – Four seniors combined to score 10 goals to lead Olivet College to a 13-10 win over Kalamazoo College in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) women's lacrosse contest on Senior Night at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet.

Taylor Guarnaccia and Mackenzie Inman each had a hat trick (three goals), while Brittany Hayes and Geri Merrell had two goals apiece. Inman also had two assists for a game-high five points. Merrell also collected two assists for four points. The other goals were scored by freshman Krystin Verran.

The Comets jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first four minutes and 30 seconds of the game. The Hornets came right back with three straight goals in a two and one-half minute span to tie the game at 4-4. Hayes put Olivet ahead briefly with an unassisted tally before Kalamazoo went on a 3-0 scoring spurt to go up 7-5 with 12:32 left in the opening half.

Over the final 12:32 of the first half, the Comets out-scored the Hornets, 6-0, to take an 11-7 halftime lead. During that run, Merrell scored twice, while Guarnaccia, Hayes, Inman and Verran each had one goal.

The teams traded goals in the first seven minutes and 30 seconds of the second half. There was no scoring until Kalamazoo scored with 7:49 left in the game to trim its deficit to three goals, 12-9. Verran sealed Olivet's win off a pass from Merrell at the 6:11 mark. The Hornets scored one more time with 1:47 left but was not able to complete the comeback.

In addition to three goals, Guarnaccia posted team-highs in shots (nine) and draw controls (six). Merrell finished with eight shots. In the cage, sophomore Xavier Vance played all 60 minutes and collected eight saves while facing 25 shots.

The Comets host Hope College next Tuesday, April 21, at 6 p.m.