ALBION, Mich. – The Calvin women's lacrosse team captured it's first-ever MIAA Tournament title with a 12-11 victory at Albion. Calvin rallied from five goals down to win on Saturday. The Knights avenged a loss to the Britons in the 2015 MIAA Tournament and a loss earlier in the season at home. With the victory, the Knights advance to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time in program history. Calvin improves to 12-5 on the year and Albion falls to 10-7.

"I am really proud of the team," said head coach Blake Boehm. "They have overcome barriers all season long and this game was no exception. We never got down on ourselves when we were down five goals. In the huddle, you could feel the energy and the determination. This game came down to winning possessions and protecting the ball. We played well in transition today and took advantage of our possessions. We really were solid defensively today and Ellis was solid in the net for us. We played with composure today and we finished the day walking away happy."

Albion struck first on Saturday at the 21:48 mark of the first half with a goal from Kadie Koolwick. The Britons struck again 14 seconds later to take a 2-0 lead.

The Britons took a 3-0 lead, up a player after what looked to be a Calvin goal was called off due to an illegal stick, resulting in a yellow card by rule.

Freshman Lauryn Slachter cut through the Albion defense and got Calvin on the scoreboard with 14:52 left in the first half.

Albion pushed the lead back to three on a free position shot.

Junior Emily Cefaratti ran right in front of the Albion net and sent the ball to the back of the net to cut the deficit to two.

The Britons struck back 31 seconds later at 12:19 to make it 5-2. They scored again 16 seconds later to take a 6-2 lead.

Albion's Julie Wood scored at the 9:11 mark to give Albion a 7-2 lead. Wood scored three goals on the afternoon for the Britons.

Freshman Kelly Pepper made the Britons pay for the yellow card later on with a goal on a free position shot. The goal cut the Albion lead to 7-3.

With 4:43 left, Lauryn Slachter spun in front of the net and scored to make it 7-4.

Sophomore Amanda Davio struck 43 seconds later from a pass from Emily Cefaratti.

Freshman Madeline Baas scored off of a beautiful pass from Emily Cefaratti over the net.

Kelly Pepper tied the game with 48 second left in the half.

After trailing 7-2, the Knights went into halftime tied at seven.

Emily Cefaratti gave Calvin its first lead of the day at the 28:18 mark of the second half.

Cefaratti and the Knights caught the Britons sleeping 20 second later off of a long transition pass from freshman Emma Tilma.

Calvin scored seven-straight goals until Albion scored with 27:56 left in the game to make it a 9-8 game.

Amanda Davio trickled one past Victoria Della Pia on a free position shot with 24:29 left.

Davio put the ball in the back of the net with 21:40 left for her third goal of the day.

Albion cut the lead to 11-9 on a free position goal at the 19:26 mark of the second half.

Albion scored on an empty net with 9:36 left to cut the lead to 11-10.

Emma Tilma gave Calvin a two-goal lead with 7:51 remaining.

The Britons cut the lead to one with 5:30 left.

The game came down to the wire and Albion was given a free position with four seconds remaining. The Calvin defense kept the ball out of the net and the Knights claimed the MIAA title.

Freshman Ellis Chalfant recorded some key saves in the victory on Saturday. Chalfant notched 12 saves.

Emily Cefaratti had a game-high five points with three goals and two assists. Amanda Davio also recorded three goals.

Madeline Baas helped the Calvin comeback with four ground balls in the victory.

The Knights forced 16 Albion turnovers on Saturday.

The Maroon and Gold had 21 ground balls, with Emily Cefaratti and Lauryn Slachter finishing with five.

Calvin outshot Albion. 29-28.

The Knights will figure out who they play in the NCAA Division III Tournament on Sunday night at 9:30 p.m. when the selection show is announced at: NCAA III Tournament Selection Show.