KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Albion College women's lacrosse team remained unbeaten against Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rivals and won its seventh straight Tuesday night, but it wasn't easy.
Abby Sheklow buried a free position shot and Darcy Muns scored off a pass from Carly Schwarz as Albion scored twice in the final five minutes to edge Kalamazoo College, 11-8.
Schwarz played a role in seven goals, scoring four and assisting on three. Destiny Okon scored three goals, Muns chipped in with two goals and an assist and Ariella Ruiz produced a goal and an assist.
Okon scored twice in the first 3 ½ minutes as Albion surged to a 2-0 lead.
Schwarz buried a free position shot as Albion led, 3-0, with 20 ½ minutes left in the first half.
Rachel Madar scored the next four goals as Kalamazoo surged to a 4-3 lead with eight minutes left in the first half.
Albion recovered, getting two goals from Schwarz and one from Okon, to lead, 6-5, at halftime.
Albion extended the lead to 9-6 when Schwarz finished a free position shot with eight minutes left in the second half.
The Britons could not throw the knockout punch, however, as Madar and Amanda Moss scored to pull Kalamazoo within one with 6 ½ minutes left.
Albion held on with its late scores.
While it had trouble completing passes in the middle of the field, Albion's defense came to the rescue. Okon and Jade Barrett were credited with causing three turnovers each and Schwarz and Marah Ranger caused two apiece.
Albion will play its final regular season home game on Saturday when Hope College provides the opposition for a 1 o'clock game at Alumni Field. Albion will recognize seniors Marisa DeCamp, Ruiz, Kristine Taladiar, and Zoe Wilson prior to the game.
Twitter: @AlbionWLacrosse
Joe and Julie Serra have given a $5 million leadership gift to launch a fundraising initiative to make two dreams a reality at Albion College. The first is a newly expanded fitness and student activity facility at the site of the current Dow Recreation and Wellness Center. The second is a new or renovated competition facility for the volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball that currently call Kresge Gymnasium home.
The College is continuing to raise funds in support of both projects. To learn more, call 517/629-0446 or email advancement@albion.edu.
