Belles Prevail Against Comets

Box Score

• Each of the 11 field players for the Belles who competed scored at least one goal on the night.
• Kate Kelly led the way with four goals to surpass the 100 career goal plateau while also adding two assists, six draw controls, and two caused turnovers.
• Liana O'Grady recorded the first goal of her career, which was also the first goal of the game.

OLIVET, Mich. - After two lightning delays and a significant amount of rain, the Saint Mary's lacrosse team took a 22-4 win over Olivet in MIAA competition on Tuesday evening.

The first such lightning delay resulted in the game starting an hour later than originally scheduled. Kate Kelly won the opening draw, and Liana O'Grady made her first collegiate goal count in a big way as the senior quickly put the Belles up 1-0 just 24 seconds into play for the third-fastest goal to start a game in program history.

Erin Doyle added a pair of goals, and Kate Kelly and Molly Stout each found the back of the cage once to give Saint Mary's a 5-0 advantage 5:45 into the contest. The Comets got on the scoreboard with 23:29 on the clock on an unassisted effort in the critical scoring area, but the Belles rattled off the next eight goals of the contest to build a 13-1 lead through 17-plus minutes of play.

Olivet again broke through for a goal less than three minutes later to make it a 13-2 game with just over 10 minutes remaining on the clock in the first half. Saint Mary's responded again with three goals by three different players over the final eight minutes of the half for a 16-2 lead.

The second weather delay of the game came with just 28 seconds remaining on the clock before halftime. When the weather moved past the area, the teams opted out of a halftime break and continued on with the second half after the goalies had a chance to switch ends. The two sides traded goals back and forth over the first 10 minutes of the second period with Zoe Gatzimos and Kate Kelly each registering a goal as the score stood at 18-4. The Belles worked their offense down the stretch before adding four goals to close out the 22-4 final.

Each of the 11 field players for the Belles who competed scored at least one goal on the night. Kate Kelly led the way with four goals to surpass the 100 career goal plateau while also adding two assists, six draw controls, and two caused turnovers. Erin Doyle tallied four goals to establish a new single-season scoring record for the program by eclipsing the 51-goal mark previously set. The freshman added an assist and four draw controls.

Liv Heppeler netted a hat trick for her first three goals of her career. Hanna Makowski and Rachael Leonard each had two goals and an assist. Molly Stout posted a pair of goals in the win. Clare Theisen registered a goal, two assists, five draw controls, and a game-high seven ground balls. Caleigh Gainey, Zoe Gatzimos, and Raigan Althouse each had a goal and an assist. Liana O'Grady recorded the first goal of her career, which was also the first goal of the game. Kendra Osinski made a save in goal while collecting her third win.

The Belles (7-3, 2-0 MIAA) are back in action on Saturday when they host Trine at 1:00 p.m. at the Purcell Athletic Fields.