ADRIAN, Mich. - At Docking Stadium, the Adrian women's lacrosse team battled back from a four-goal deficit in the fourth quarter to force its first overtime trip of the season. However, it was the visiting Hornets of Kalamazoo garnering the last word and coming away with a 12-11 conference-opening decision.

Senior Olive Stevens scored a game-high seven goals to pace the Bulldog (4-6, 0-1 MIAA) offense, including four in the final frame of regulation to help bring the black and gold back in contention.

In that fourth quarter, the visitors started things off with their fourth-straight goal, building their advantage to 9-5. Then, after just over two minutes, Adrian began to mount its comeback, beginning with a Stevens tally as the attacker clashed through a swarm of Hornets.

The scoring continued three minutes later when Carlee Casteel hooked up with a wide-open Delaynie Harris in the slot, then again shortly after off of an Adrian free-position shot to make it a one-goal game.

After Kalamazoo notched one to restore its two-goal cushion, Zoe Weber brought the Bulldogs right back off a breakaway chance set up by Casteel. From there, the scoreline remained constant for nearly four minutes before Stevens converted another free-position attempt to draw the game level at 10-10 with 2:55 to play in the quarter.

The Hornets kept the pressure on in the final moments, regaining the lead 38 seconds later. Adrian, though, stayed relentless, and with the visitors threatening in their offensive zone, Casteel turned up the tension defensively, forcing a turnover to get the 'Dogs in business.

Following a timeout, the locals set up shop in their attacking end. Stevens took a pass from around 15 yards out and proceeded to make a move in towards the goal. The Bulldogs' leading-scorer made a crafty spin through a pair of defenders and fired a strong backhanded shot past the Hornets' netminder to ultimately force the extra frame.

All told, Kalamazoo narrowly out-shot Adrian 27-23, while the 'Dogs committed three-fewer turnovers than their opposition.

Jordan Hunt made a solid start in net for the home side, stopping six shots, and Casteel finished with four points on two goals and two assists.

The black and gold resume their 2022 schedule on April 13 at Alma College for a 7 p.m. start.
 
 
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