GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Today the Calvin women's lacrosse team welcomed the Thunder of Trine University where it fell in a last second heartbreaker and picked up their first loss in MIAA play.
 
After today the Knights moved to a 11-4 overall record and 5-1 in the MIAA while Trine improved to 10-4 overall 5-2 in MIAA play.
 
The Knights got out to a quick start as senior Meghan Chang (Clarksburg, Md./Clarksburg) won the opening draw and immediately sprinted into Thunder territory. After a few swift passes, Jessica Eenigenburg (Norton Shores, Mich./Western Michigan Christian) found Jacey Smith (Watertown, Wis./Watertown) who sent the ball into the back of the net to put Calvin up 1-0 just thirty seconds into play.
 
Calvin kept the pressure on as twenty seconds later Morgan Bethard (DeWitt, Mich./DeWitt) found the back of the net off an assist from Audrey Booher (Fishers, Ind./Heritage Christian). With three minutes left in the first quarter freshman Corinne Plumb (St. Louis, Mo./Westminster Christian Academy) got in on the scoring action to extend the Calvin lead to 3-0.
 
However, in the final minutes of the quarter Trine took advantage of some Calvin turnovers and found their groove as they scored three unanswered goals to even the score.
 
The Thunder utilized their newfound momentum and carried it into the second quarter as they quickly netted a goal to take their first lead of the game. After that both teams struggled to break through the opposing defense and the half ended with Trine leading 4-3.
 
In the second half, Trine came out firing as they added another goal to their total before Booher responded with a goal of her own two minutes later. The Thunder tried to reclaim the momentum as they found the back of the net but once again Calvin had a response, this time in the form of a slap-shot like play from Eenigenburg.
 
With time ticking off the clock in the third and Trine still leading by one Chang took advantage of a sleeping Trine defense and carried the ball into Thunder territory. Weaving through defenders she saw her opportunity and sent the ball sailing past the Trine goalkeeper to even the score just before the third quarter buzzer.
 
In the fourth quarter, the game remained tight as both teams matched each other goal-for-goal. With the clock winding down and the score tied at 8-8 Trine claimed possession at midfield. After being shut down multiple times by the Calvin defense they finally found an opening and sent the ball into the back of the net just before the clock ran out resulting in a heartbreaking 8-9 loss for the Knights.
 
Smith finished the day as Calvin's leading scorer with three goals while Booher notched two assists. Chang snagged seven draw controls while Natalie Scott (Dyer, Ind./Illiana Christian) and Molly Williams (Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven) each recorded two caused turnovers. In goal, sophomore Hannah Rizzo (Waterville, Ohio/Anthony Wayne) finished with eleven saves.
 
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action on Thursday, April 24th when they play their final game of the regular season at Zuidema Field against Hope College at 7PM.