Women’s lacrosse: Comets’ win streak snapped in 13-11 loss to Hope

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's lacrosse team had its four-game winning streak snapped with a close 13-11 loss to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Hope College tonight at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet.

The Flying Dutch scored the first goal of the game at the 25:23 mark. Senior Taylor Guarnaccia then put the Comets ahead with two goals in a span of 21 seconds. The first one was assisted, while the second was off a pass from senior Geri Merrell.

Hope tied the game at 2-2 before freshman Krystin Verran put Olivet back ahead, 3-2, with a free-position goal with 12:51 left in the opening half. The Flying Dutch closed the half by scoring five straight goals, including the last with two seconds remaining, to take a 7-3 lead at the intermission.

Early in the second half, two Comet goals were sandwiched around a Hope goal to make the score 8-5 at the 24:11 mark. The Flying Dutch then went on another 5-0 scoring run to take a 13-5 lead with 11:57 left in the game. Olivet did not go down without a fight, as it scored the final six goals to lose by only two, 13-11.

After being outshot by 22-10 in the first 30 minutes, the Comets outshot Hope, 22-13, in the second half for a slight 35-32 advantage for the Flying Dutch in the game. Olivet won six more draw controls, 16-10; however, Hope turned the ball over three less times, 18-21.

Guarnaccia led the way for the Comets with four goals, three caused turnovers and single-game school record 12 draw controls. Merrell scored the final goal to go along with two assists for three points. Verran netted two goals. Seniors Brittany Hayes and Mackenzie Inman, junior Devin Blue and freshman Stephanie Robinson had one goal apiece.

Sophomore Xavier Vance made 11 saves while playing 57 minutes and 37 seconds in goal. Junior Hailey Bond completed the game in between the pipes and collected one save.

The Comets will wrap-up the regular season portion of their schedule Saturday with a 5 p.m. game at Trine (Ind.) University.