KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Calvin held on for an 11-9 victory at Kalamazoo Saturday afternoon.

Saturday's game marked the conference opener for both teams. Calvin (4-2, 1-0 MIAA) led 5-1 after one quarter of play and 6-2 at at halftime.

Kalamazoo (0-7 overall, 0-1 MIAA) outscored Calvin 3-2 in the third quarter and made it a one-goal game twice in the fourth quarter.

Calvin answered the call each time. Leading 9-8, junior Drew Stoneburner (Wheaton, Il./Wheaton North HS) scored unassisted to put the Knights up 10-8. Kalamazoo answered with a goal 30 seconds later to make it 10-9.

A Calvin turnover gave Kalamazoo the ball with a chance to tie the game with under three minutes left to play. Calvin forced a turnover moments later with Ryan Whitney scooping up a ground ball off the turnover. The Hornets committed a penalty moments later and the Knights made good on the man-up opportunity, scoring on a goal by sophomore Robert Miner (Littleton, Co./Columbine HS) with 1:28 left.

Kalamazoo fired three shots at goal in the closing seconds but the first was high and the final two were saved by junior goalie Evan Griffin (Howell, Mich./Hartland HS) to allow the Knights close out the win.

Senior Nathan Jindra (South Bend, Ind./John Adams HS) had two goals and an assist. Stoneburner and junior Jake Boender (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) had two goals apiece. Freshman Jefferson Yon (Fairfax, Va./Trinity Christian HS), sophomore Ethan Curtis (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Northern HS), Miner, junior Nick Dueweke (Clarkston, Mich./Notre Dame Prep) and junior Chase Sparling (Novi, Mich./Novi HS) all had one goal apiece.

Sparling had a game-high eight ground balls. Griffin was credited with 14 saves in goal.

COACHES COMMENT: "It ws a sloppy game but it's alway great to start our conference play with a win," said Calvin men's head lacrosse coach Dave Hoger. "I give a ton of credit to (Kalamazoo) Head Coach Vince Redko and his team for how hard they competed today. We look forward to getting back to work on Monday."

NEXT UP: Calvin will travel to rival Hope on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. contest at Van Andel Stadium.