Olivet College women’s lacrosse team loses to Davenport, 14-5

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's lacrosse team fell to Davenport University 14-15 tonight at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet.

After the Panthers scored the first goal of the game, the Comets tied the game at the 21:54 mark when senior Cortney Wernette (Remus/Chippewa Hills) found the back of the net on a free-position shot. Davenport then scored five goals to take a 6-1 lead. Following senior Cara VanDam's (Grand Rapids/Union) unassisted goal, the Panthers scored four of the final five goals of the first half to take a 10-3 at the break. Olivet's lone goal in that sequence was by Wernette and assisted by freshman Geri Merrell (Battle Creek/Lakeview).

The teams traded goals to start the second half, with freshman Mimi Garza (Battle Creek/Lakeview) scoring the Comets' goal. Davenport had two more goals to make the score 13-4. Merrell capped Olivet's scoring on an unassisted goal with 8:45 left in the game.

The Comets were led by Wernette, who took eight shots (six on-goal) and scored two goals. She also won three draw controls. Garza and Merrell finished with three and two shots, respectively. Freshman Sarah Shaw (Grand Haven) played all 60 minutes in goal, faced 24 shots and made five saves.

Olivet will travel to Aquinas College for three games this Friday and Saturday, March 23-24. On Friday night, the Comets will play the host Saints at 5 p.m. On Saturday, they will play Midland (Neb.) University at 4 p.m. and Robert Morris (Ill.) University at 6 p.m.