ALBION, Mich. – The best start in program history continued for the Calvin men's lacrosse team with a landmark win Wednesday evening as the Knights handed homestanding Albion a 17-15 defeat.

The victory was the first in Calvin men's lacrosse history against the Britons. Albion was 14-0 against the Knights all-time heading into Wednesday's game at Albion's Alumni Field.

Calvin improves to 10-2 overall with the win and more importantly to 3-0 in the MIAA. Calvin led 10-7 at halftime and later 15-10 after three quarters, Calvin then fought off a late Albion comeback bid to claim the win.

Albion (7-5 overall, 1-1 MIAA) closed within one at 15-14 with just over six minutes remaining. Calvin came up with a key defensive stop and then scored on a shot by freshman Brighton Kojetin (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville HS) with 4:31 remaining to build a two-goal cushion. Albion closed to within 16-15 on a goal with 3:30 left.

Calvin senior Nate Hanson (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North HS) came up with the faceoff win for the Knights but Albion regained the ball seconds later on a Knight turnover. Calvin quickly regained possession, foiling an Albion clear attempt and with 2:31 remaining, freshman Hudson Thiemann (Plano, Tx./Plano Senior HS) scored with 2:31 remaining to give the Knights breathing room.

Hanson won the ensuing faceoff to help chew up more than a minute of time on the clock. A Calvin shot attempt that was ruled in the Albion crease with a minute left turned the ball over to the Britons. The Knight defense held strong however with senior Soren Thiemann (Plano, Tx./Plano Senior HS) making a key save in the closing seconds to seal the win.

Nine different Calvin players scored goals led by Hudson Thiemann who had a massive game with four goals on seven shots. Senior David Blackmon (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North HS) also had a monster game with four goals to go with a pair of ground balls. Junior Jordan Warners (Orange, Ca./Crean Lutheran HS) also was huge on the attack with three goals, two assists and two ground balls.

Calvin jumped out to a 3-1 first quarter lead off goals from senior David Blackmon (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North HS), freshman Braylon Moore (Rockford, Mich./Rockford HS) and Hudson Thiemann.

After Albion tied the game at three, Calvin scored four unanswered goals to build a 7-3 second quarter lead. Senior Braden Carpenter (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville HS), sophomore Anson Gorski (Livonia, Mich./Orchard Lake St. Mary's), Warners and sophomore Colin TeBrake (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northview HS) scored in the run with TeBrake, Warners and Gorski also drawing assists during the surge.

The Calvin lead swelled to 10-5 off a pair of goals from Blackmon and Hudson Thiemann. Albion scored two goals in the final 27 seconds of the first half to stay within striking distance at 10-7.

Calvin's lead bumped to 15-10 after third quarter goals from Hudson Thiemann, junior Riley DeSarbo (Monroe, Mich./St. Mary's Catholic Central HS), Blackmon and two from Warners.

Albion whittled the Calvin lead down to one with four goals in a span of 2:20 midway through the fourth quarter to set up the frantic finish.

TeBrake, Moore and Gorski all had a goal and an assist. Carpenter had a goal, two assists and a ground ball.

Junior Drew Garrison (Columbus, Oh./ Worthington Kilbourne) spearheaded a dogged Calvin defensive effort with five caused turnovers and seven ground balls. Freshman Garrett Ruehle (Alto, Mich./Caledonia HS) caused three turnovers with junior Duncan Billings (North Barrington, Ill./Carmel Catholic) causing two opponent turnovers and scooping up two ground balls. Junior Jackson Engbers (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian HS) caused two opponent turnovers and scooped up one ground ball.

Hanson was credited with 11 faceoff wins and a team-high nine ground balls. Soren Thiemann saved 15 Albion shots, collected four ground balls and was credited with the win.

Albion outshot Calvin 51-45 overall.

COACHES COMMENT: "I'm extremely proud of our guys," said Calvin head men's lacrosse coach Dave Hoger. "They battled on both sides of the ball and came to play tonight. They made plays when it mattered the most. I also want to give a huge shoutout to our guys on the sideline. They have been helping us all year to prepare for games and their humility and commitment to the team has been integral to our success this season. We will celebrate this one and are excited to get back to work to prepare for a big set of games next week."

NEXT UP: Calvin will host Adrian next Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Calvin Soccer Stadium.