Belles Toppled by Knights
NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Saint Mary's lacrosse team fell by a 19-4 final score to league-leading Calvin on Wednesday afternoon.
Emilie Vanneste scored
a pair of goals for the
Belles.The Belles had some trouble sustaining long possession of the ball while the Knights ate up large chunks of time with many of their opportunities. Despite those circumstances, Shannon Weyer and the Saint Mary's defense kept the Belles in the mix throughout much of the first half. The defense took advantage off some off-the-mark passing by the Knights while Weyer came up with a save in the opening five minutes of action.
The Knights broke through with the first goal of the game with 23:51 and added a second goal three minutes later for the 2-0 advantage. The Belles came back a minute later to make it a 2-1 game. Kristen Whalen won the draw control for Saint Mary's, and the Belles took advantage. After several good passes, Abby Krauss held the ball along the left side of the fan before passing to her right to an open Mary Grace Heller, who had no one but the goalkeeper to beat before putting away the ball.
The game remained at 2-1 for more than six minutes as the Belles' defense continued to stand strong. Weyer pushed aside two more shots on goal to keep the Knights off the scoreboard. Calvin, however, was able to extend their lead to 3-1 with just over 13 minutes to go. The defense continued to do what they could to hold the Knights, but the Belles were unable to get the counterattack going on the other end of the field.
Calvin put five more goals on the scoreboard over the final 8:08 of the half to take a 9-1 lead into halftime. The Knights then started the second period with six goals during the first 13 minutes of play to extend their advantage to 15-1.
Caleigh Gainey made the most of a free position attempt by scoring from the right side of the 8-meter area to break up the scoring run by the Knights with 13:29 remaining in the contest. After two more Calvin goals, Emilie Vanneste got on the scoreboard for the Belles. Twice, she was able to work the ball from behind the crease, cut in front of the goal, and change her stick angle more than enough to give herself an open shot and score.
The Knights, however, added two goals in the final 1:24 of the game to push the final score to 19-4.
Shannon Weyer made 12 saves in goal and added a pair of ground balls. Rachel Fetterhoff caused three turnovers, and Fetterhoff, Katlynn Dee, and Kristen Whalen each had three ground balls.
Emilie Vanneste led the Belles with two goals. Caleigh Gainey and Mary Grace Heller each chipped in a goal, and Abby Krauss earned an assist.
The Belles (6-7, 2-3 MIAA) travel to Albion for a 3:30 p.m. conference game on Saturday, April 18.