Thunder Women's Lacrosse News
5/6 - Garrett Named MIAA WLAX Defensive Player of the Year
Garrett and Canepa Named All-MIAA First Team
ROYAL, OAK, Mich. - The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) has named Trine University women’s lacrosse sophomore goalie Grace Garrett (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) its first ever Defensive Player of the Year. Garrett, along with senior Emily Canepa (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) were named to the All-MIAA First Team after the conference’s first season of play.
Garrett logged every minute of action in goal for the 5-6 Thunder, as she finished the season with 104 saves, averaging 9.45 a game which ranked 55th in Division III at the end of the regular season. Garrett’s .466 save percentage was good enough for 64th in the nation. She also finished the regular season third on the team with 35 groundballs and 14 caused turnovers. In MIAA play, Garrett’s 10.17 saves per game tied for the lead. Garrett was also third in the league with a .452 save percentage amongst multi-game starters and her 12.00 goals against average were fourth.
Canepa led Trine in nearly every major statistical category including 33 goals and six assists on the season. She also led the Thunder with 50 groundballs, 31 draw controls and 32 caused turnovers. Canepa’s 2.91 caused turnovers per game were good enough to finish the regular season sixth in the nation and 4.55 groundballs per game was 17th. Canepa was second in the conference 14 caused turnovers, fourth with five free position goals and tied for 10th with 15 total goals.
4/27 - Thunder Fall in Overtime
HOLLAND, Mich. - It was a tough end to the season for the Trine University women’s lacrosse team as they battled back to send their game into overtime against Hope College, but fell 12-11. The loss eliminates the Thunder from qualifying for the first MIAA Tournament as they end their season 5-6 overall and 2-4 in the MIAA.
Hope started the game scoring just 28 seconds in and added another as they jumped out to an early lead. Trine sophomore Taylor Gast (Akron, Ind./Tippecanoe Valley) notched he 18th goal of the year with 22:29 to play in the first. It would take 10 minutes before another goal was scored as the Dutch pushed their lead back to two.
From there, the goals would come fast and furious as Trine freshman Anne Mammel (Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh) answered with a goal less than two minutes later on an assist from Gast. Less than 20 seconds later it would be Hope with another goal. Just 43 seconds after that it was junior Darcy Little (Williamsburg, Ohio/Williamsburg) scoring for the Thunder on an assist from fellow junior Lauren Hood (Austintown, Ohio/Mineral Ridge).
Hope added their fifth goal just 35 seconds after Little’s goal before sophomore Kassi Armstrong (Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) scored 15 seconds after that at the 9:06 mark. Gast notched her second goal of the game at 7:44 to even the game at 5-5.
Hope would score at 3:36 on a free position shot to take the lead but Trine would answer right back as senior Emily Canepa (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) scored just 26 seconds later to tied the game at 6-6 headed into halftime.
Five minutes into the second half, Hope took back the lead. Once again though, the Thunder quickly answered as Mammel scored on an assist from Armstrong at 23:33. Just 17 seconds later Hope would retake the lead 8-7.
Trine would again tie the game as Mammel netted a hat-trick off an assist from fellow freshman Bronti Belanger (Haslett, Mich./Haslett). The Dutch wouldn’t allow the Thunder to take the lead as they once again scored with 19:29 remaining in the game.
Hope would take a two goal lead with 14:31 to play but Belanger would pull the Thunder within one with 13:35 left in the game. Four minutes later it was Canepa pulling through for the Thunder as she tied the game 10-10 with 9:30 left in the game.
Neither team would score in the final minutes as the game headed to overtime, the first ever OT game in MIAA women’s conference play.
In the first overtime, Hope struck first with 1:50 to play. Trine would answer with a hat-trick goal from Canepa to tie the game at 11 going into the second, three minute period.
Hope would notch the first goal in the second overtime just 16 seconds in for what would be the game-winner as the Thunder were unable to get a shot off in the second extra frame.
Sophomore Grace Garrett (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) made a career-high 16 saves on the night and had a game-high seven groundballs and three caused turnovers. Canepa had a game-high six draw controls and snagged five groundballs while causing three turnovers. Belanger and junior Danielle Reuter (Harrison, Ohio/Harrison) also forced three turnovers on the night. Little would snare five draw controls while Belanger grabbed three.
It was just the second overtime in Trine school history. The other came on April 21, 2011 as the Thunder defeated Fontbonne by a near identical score of 13-12.
Canepa ends her four-year Trine career as the school leader in groundballs (158) and caused turnovers (80); second in goals (86) and draw controls (89); tied for second in assists (16); and third in points (102).
4/25 - Thunder Triumphant in Final Home Game
ANGOLA, Ind. - It was the perfect way for the Trine University women’s lacrosse to end their home season as they got revenge on Olivet College for an earlier loss in the season, defeating the Comets 8-6. The win improves the Thunder to 5-5 on the year and 2-3 in the MIAA, moving them into a tie for fourth place in the conference standings.
Trine sophomore Taylor Gast (Akron, Ind./Tippecanoe Valley) got the scoring going early as she netted her 16th goal of the season just 34 seconds in. Olivet would quickly answer, scoring their first goal of the game 40 seconds later. Senior Emily Canepa (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) would give the Thunder a lead they would never relinquish as 1:30 after the Comets goal, she would net her 30th of the season.
Freshman Holly Erner (Anderson, Ind./Anderson) and junior Lauren Hood (Austintown, Ohio/Mineral Ridge) would give the Thunder a 4-1 lead with 20:58 remaining. Olivet would add a goal at the 18:00 mark before both sides went scoreless for nearly the rest of the half. Junior Darcy Little (Williamsburg, Ohio/Williamsburg) broke the scoring drought with 36 seconds left as she gave Trine a 5-2 lead at halftime.
Olivet would score a pair of goals to start the second half as they cut the Thunder lead to just one. Less than 30 seconds later freshman Anne Mammel (Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh) notched her 18th goal of the year to push the Trine lead back to two.
After another Comets goal, the Thunder put the game away as Little and Gast both added goals midway through the half to put Trine out in front 8-5.
Olivet would notch a goal with 4:25 left, but that would be it as the Thunder defense wouldn’t allow the Comets any closer.
Sophomore Grace Garrett (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) made nine stops on the afternoon between the pipes for the Thunder. Garrett also grabbed three groundballs and caused three turnovers on the day.
Canepa led the defensive charge for the Thunder with a game-high five groundballs and four caused turnovers. Freshman Bronti Belanger (Haslett, Mich./Haslett) also forced four turnovers while nabbing three groundballs. Senior Maria Duncan (Walkerton, Ind./Oregon-Davis) picked up four groundballs on the afternoon.
On the day, the Thunder out-shot Olivet 34-to-20 but Olivet grabbed 10 draw controls compared to six for Trine. The Thunder held a 26-to-19 groundball advantage for the game and committed just 16 turnovers compared to 27 for the Comets. The Thunder were perfect on clears in the first half going 8-for-8 and finished the day 14-for-17 while holding Olivet to just 16-for-29.
Trine will wrap up their regular season when they travel to Hope on April 27 for a 6:00 p.m. game. With a win, the Thunder will clinch a spot in the MIAA Tournament.
4/22 - Thunder Conquer Spartan 12
DUBUQUE, Iowa - For the first time this season the Trine University women’s lacrosse team posted back-to-back wins as they took care of the University of Dubuque 20-4 during their final game of their trip to Iowa. The Thunder are now 4-5 overall on the season.
Trine ran away with it early on as they jumped out to a 10-0 lead through first 17 minutes of the game.
Reigning MIAA Offensive Player of the Week, senior Emily Canepa (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) got the scoring started 1:35 into the game on an assist from sophomore Taylor Gast (Akron, Ind./Tippecanoe Valley). Freshman Anne Mammel (Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh) would score five minutes later on an assist from junior Darcy Little (Williamsburg, Ohio/Williamsburg) and the route was on.
Freshman Holly Erner (Anderson, Ind./Anderson) would score her second goal of the season on a free position and fellow freshman Bronti Belanger (Haslett, Mich./Haslett) added another at the 20:32 mark. Less than 40 seconds later it would be sophomore Kassi Armstrong (Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) scoring on a free position and then Canepa adding another 37 seconds after that. Belanger added a second goal 30 seconds later and Armstrong scored again as the Thunder led it 8-0 just 12:34 into the game.
Mammel would add a goal on an assist from Belanger and Gast would net one of her own to put the Thunder up by 10.
Starting at the 10:08 mark, the Spartans would score three straight goals as they ended the shutout. Canepa would put an exclamation mark on the first half as she scored a hat-trick with just 10 seconds left.
Trine opened the second half by scoring two quick goals as Belanger netted the first at 26:38 and Mammel added another 30 seconds later on an assist from Canepa for the hat-trick.
Dubuque would add a goal at the 22:29 mark, but that would be their final points as the Thunder defense shut them down for the rest of the game.
Just 6 seconds after the Spartans goal, Mammel would score her fourth of the day. Just over a minute later Gast would add another goal as the quick scoring continued for the Thunder as Canepa netted her fourth of the day just 17 seconds after Gast.
Gast would add a hat-trick of her own with 12:10 left in the game and a minute later it was freshman Megan Russ (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) scoring her second goal of the season.
Armstrong would also add a hat-trick of her own with 3:50 left in the game before Mammel closed out the game with her fifth of the day with 2 minutes to play.
Sophomore goalie Grace Garrett (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) made five saves on the afternoon.
Canepa led the Thunder defense with a game-high six draw controls and four caused turnovers while adding four groundballs. Mammel led Trine with a game-high five groundballs. Belanger added four draws, three groundballs and three caused turnovers on the afternoon.
For the day, Trine out-shot Dubuque 47-to-17 and held a 17-to-9 advantage on groundballs. The Thunder also had a 17-to-8 advantage on draw controls for the game while they forced 24 Spartans turnovers.
Trine will take a few days off before returning to conference action on April 25 when they host Olivet for a 4:00 p.m. game.
4/22 - Canepa, Garrett Named Women’s Lacrosse MIAA POW
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has named Trine teammates Emily Canepa and Grace Garrett its Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week in women’s lacrosse for matches played through April 20.
Canepa, a senior attacker from West Chester, Ohio (Lakota West HS), scored 10 goals, scooped up 11 ground balls and caused seven turnovers for the week as the Thunder split a pair of MIAA contests. She scored seven goals and added nine ground balls, four draw controls and six caused turnovers in a 14-13 victory over Albion. She also scored all three Trine goals in a 16-3 loss to Adrian. Canepa is being honored as Player of the Week for the first time this season.
Garrett, a sophomore goalkeeper from Carmel, Ind. (Carmel HS), made 14 saves and added seven ground balls in two MIAA contests for the Thunder. She made 10 saves, had four ground balls and caused three turnovers in a loss to Adrian, and made four saves and had three ground balls in a win over Albion. Garrett is being honored as Player of the Week for the second time this season.
4/21 - Canepa and Mammel Lead Thunder in Route
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The Trine University women’s lacrosse team made quick work of Loras College on their road trip to Iowa as they defeated the Duhawks 18-1. The win gives the Thunder a 3-5 record on the season.
Trine senior Emily Canepa (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) helped the Thunder jump out to a quick lead scoring just 40 seconds into the game. Two minutes later it would be freshman Anne Mammel (Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh) netting a goal on an assist from sophomore Taylor Gast (Akron, Ind./Tippecanoe Valley). Trine would add four more goals over the next five minutes as Canepa, Mammel, Gast and freshman Bronti Belanger (Haslett, Mich./Haslett) all scored as Trine led it 6-0 just 10 minutes into the game.
Mammel and Kassi Armstrong (Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) would net goals just 20 seconds apart as Belanger and Canepa each scored before the end of the half.
Leading by 10 at halftime, the Thunder continued to score in the second half as Belanger netted her fourth of the day on an assist from Canepa. Less than two minutes later freshman Holly Erner (Anderson, Ind./Anderson) scored her first career goal on an assist from Mammel. Two minutes after that, Gast notched her second goal of the game.
Canepa and Mammel would score back-to-back goals a minute apart as the Thunder led it 15-0 with 17:40 to play.
A pair of freshmen in Hunter Johnson (Millbury, Ohio/lake) and Megan Russ (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) each scored their first collegiate goals. Johnson’s goal came on an assist from Canepa while Russ scored on a free position attempt.
Armstrong would round out the scoring for Trine as she netted her second of the day on an assist from junior Darcy Little (Williamsburg, Ohio/Williamsburg).
Loras’ lone goal would come with just 2:38 left in the game on a free position shot.
Sophomore goalie Grace Garrett (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) finished the day with five saves, four of which came in the second half.
In all eight different players scored a goal for the Thunder led by Canepa and Mammel with four goals apiece. Canepa also added a pair of assists on the day and led the Thunder with a school record six caused turnovers while grabbing a game-high 10 groundballs, which was one shy of tying a school record. Belanger and Mammel also grabbed five groundballs on the day. Little tied a single-game school record with nine draw controls on the afternoon while Gast had six.
For the game, Trine out-shot the Duhawks 38-to-11. The Thunder would also hold a 36-to-19 advantage on groundballs and 15-to-6 on draw controls. Trine was perfect on clearing opportunities for the day at 11-for-11 while holding Loras to just 6-of-16 and forcing 25 turnovers.
Trine returns to action on April 22 as they play the University of Dubuque for a 12:30 p.m. (cst.) game.
4/19 - Canepa Scores Hat-Trick on Senior Day
ANGOLA, Ind. - In the sleeting rain and wintry conditions, Trine University women’s lacrosse senior Emily Canepa (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) netted a hat-trick on Senior Day as the Thunder fell to conference leader Adrian 16-3. Trine also recognized fellow senior Maria Duncan (Walkerton, Ind./Oregon-Davis) during a pregame ceremony. Trine now stands at 2-5 on the season and 1-3 in the MIAA.
After Adrian scored 42 seconds into the game, Canepa tied it on a free position shot at the 24:55 mark, her 19th goal of the season. Just 24 seconds later, the Bulldogs would score to take the lead for good.
Adrian closed out the half scoring eight more goals, including one with just three seconds left on the clock as they led 10-1 at the break.
Adrian would score three more goals to start the second half as they held a 13-1 lead.
Canepa would net her second of the game, on another free position shot at 21:47 of the half. After a pair of Adrian goals, Canepa would net the hat-trick on her third free position attempt with 10:30 left the game.
The Bulldogs would add another goal after that to round out the scoring.
In goal for the Thunder, sophomore Grace Garrett (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) made 10 saves on the afternoon, nine of which came in the first half. Garrett also led the Thunder with three caused turnovers.
Garret and freshman Bronti Belanger (Haslett, Mich./Haslett) led the Thunder with four groundballs. Freshman Megan Russ (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) also picked up three groundballs on the day. Junior Darcy Little (Williamsburg, Ohio/Williamsburg) led Trine with a game-high three draw controls on the afternoon.
Trine had a hard time clearing the ball on Adrian’s defense as the Thunder converted 7-of-25 chances on the day while Adrian was good on 10-of-11. Adrian out-shot Trine 42-to-14 on the day and held a 29-to-18 advantage on groundballs. The Bulldogs also held a 13-to-8 advantage on draw controls.
Trine now head out on the road for a pair of games in Iowa. The Thunder will first take on Loras College on April 21 at 2:00 p.m. (cst.).
4/16 - Canepa Scores 7 Goals to Lead Trine to First MIAA Win
ANGOLA, Ind. - Behind the 7-goal offensive eruption of senior Emily Canepa (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West), the Trine University women’s lacrosse team held on for their first ever MIAA win as they defeated Albion College 14-13. The win improves the Thunder to 2-4 on the season and 1-2 in the conference. Albion had been previously unbeaten in the conference.
Trine opened the scoring two minutes in as sophomore Taylor Gast (Akron, Ind./Tippecanoe Valley) notched her sixth of the season. After an Albion goal, Canepa would tally her first of the day.
Albion would then score three straight goals, all by Ashley Glenn. The Thunder would go on a three goal run of their own as junior Darcy Little (Williamsburg, Ohio/Williamsburg) scored first and Canepa added two more as the Thunder led it 5-4.
Gast would add a second goal sandwiched between two Britons goals as the game was tied at 6-6 at the half.
The Britons opened the second half by scoring the first two goals as they took what would be their final lead. Gast and Canepa scored a minute apart to tie the game at eight. The two would flip-flop as Canepa then scored with 21:56 left and Gast would score a minute later as the Thunder took the lead for good.
Gast would tally her fifth goal of the game as Albion scored a pair of goals to pull within one. Freshman Bronti Belanger (Haslett, Mich./Haslett) would score 23 seconds later on a free position shot to push the lead back to two. Canepa would score twice more both coming a minute apart, including the eventual game-winner, as the Thunder led it 14-10.
Albion would make things interesting as they scored three straight goals to close out the game, with the final one coming with just 48 seconds left. Trine was able to win the ensuing draw control and run out the clock.
Canepa’s 7-goal performance tied a single-game school record held by former Thunder players Kayla Grieser and Shelly Raupp, both of whom had a 7-goal performance also again Albion on April 27, 2010. Canepa also led the Thunder with a game-high nine groundballs, six caused turnovers and grabbed four draw controls. Gast doubled her season total with her five goals on the day while Belanger led the Thunder with five draw controls.
Sophomore goalie Grace Garrett (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) made four stops on the day between the pipes.
The two sides both attempted 25 shots on the afternoon. The Thunder had a 25-to-21 advantage on groundballs and held a slim 15-to-14 advantage on draw controls. Trine would commit one more turnover on the day (24-to-23) as the Thunder were 12-of-21 on clearing opportunities while the Britons were 10-of-16.
Trine will return to action on April 19 when they host MIAA preseason favorite Adrian for a 4:00 p.m. game.
4/13 - Thunder Comeback Falls Just Short
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Trine University women’s lacrosse team fell behind in the first half and were able tie the game early in the second half, but the Thunder were never able to complete the comeback as they fell to Calvin 9-6. The loss drops the Thunder to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the MIAA.
Calvin would notch the first two goals of the game, one of which came on a free position shot. Trine would answer back at 21:08 as junior Darcy Little (Williamsburg, Ohio/Williamsburg) scored her third of the season off an assist from sophomore Kassi Armstrong (Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor). Four minutes later the Knights would strike again as the two teams would trade goals throughout the rest of the first half.
Senior Emily Canepa (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) would score for the Thunder followed by a goal from freshman Anne Mammel (Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh) on an assist from Canepa. Armstrong would add a goal of her own with 7:11 left in the half. Calvin would score right before the end of the half as they led 6-4.
Trine would open the second half scoring just 47 seconds in on Armstrong’s second of the game. Three minutes later it would be freshman Bronti Belanger (Haslett, Mich./Haslett) scoring on an extra-man opportunity to tie the game.
A minute and a half later, Calvin would score the eventual game-winner from Nicole Perregaux. The Knights would tally two more over the next five minutes as the Thunder were unable to pull any closer.
Junior Danielle Rueter (Harrison, Ohio/Harrison) led the Thunder with three groundballs on the day while Armstrong led the Thunder with two draw controls.
Sophomore Grace Garrett (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) made 13 saves on the afternoon in goal for the Thunder.
For the day, the Knights out-shot Trine 33-to-13. Calvin also held a 28-to-16 groundball and 10-to-7 draw control advantages. The Thunder were 11-for-19 on clearing opportunities while the Knights converted on 10-of-15.
The Thunder will look to pick up their first conference win when they host Albion on April 16 for a 4:00 p.m.
4/6 - Thunder Fall in Conference opener
ALMA, Mich. - It was a tough way to end their first ever MIAA conference game, as the Trine University women’s lacrosse team fell to Alma 18-6.
Trine (1-4) got into an early 6-0 hole that they were never able to recover from. Nearly nine minutes into the game, freshman Anne Mammel (Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh) finally got the Thunder on the board with her sixth goal of the season. Just 16 seconds later fellow freshman Bronti Belanger (Haslett, Mich./Haslett) found the back of the net for her eighth of the year.
A minute later, Alma would answer with another goal as they led 7-2. Sophomore Kassi Armstrong (Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) would score at the 13:47 mark on an assist from Belanger but less than 40 seconds later the Scots would answer again.
It seemed every time the Thunder would score Alma would have an answer. Mammel netter her second of the game at the 9:19 mark, but the Scots would tally another 30 seconds after.
After Alma scored their final goal of the half at 7:15, Trine junior Darcy Little (Williamsburg, Ohio/Williamsburg) would score twice, the last of which came with just 29 seconds left in the half to pull the Thunder within striking distance at 10-6.
That would be as close as Trine would get as they were shutout in the second half as Alma scored eight unanswered goals.
In goal for the Thunder, sophomore Grace Garrett (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) made nine saves and grabbed four groundballs.
Belanger led the way for the Thunder with a game-high six groundballs and six draw controls. Little also grabbed four groundballs while sophomore Taylor Gast (Akron, Ind./Tippecanoe Valley) nabbed three draw controls. Freshman Avery Van Ess (Holland, Mich./West Ottawa) led the Thunder defense with two caused turnovers.
For the day, Alma out-shot the Thunder 39 to 24, including 19 to 7 in the second half. Trine held a 16 to 10 advantage on draw controls, but the Scots would have 30 to 17 advantage on groundballs. The Thunder also struggled in clearing the ball and they converted on just 9 of 20 chances compared to Alma making 16 of 20 opportunities.
Trine will return to action on April 13 as they travel to Calvin for a 1:00 p.m. conference game.
4/1 - Garrett Named MIAA Women’s Lacrosse POW
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has named Trine goalkeeper Grace Garrett its Defensive Player of the Week in women’s lacrosse for games played through March 30.
Garrett, a sophomore from Carmel, Ind. (Carmel HS), made 23 saves as the Thunder split a pair of nonconference contests. She had 14 saves in a 17-6 loss to DePauw, Ind., and turned away nine shots in a 20-11 victory over Wilmington, Ohio. Garrett is being honored as Player of the Week for the first time this season.
3/30 - Thunder Firepower Too Much For Quakers
WILMINGTON, Ohio - The Trine University women’s lacrosse team (1-2 overall) leaned heavily on their offense, scoring 13 goals in the first half alone to pick up their first win of the season, a 20-11 up-and-down contest versus Wilmington (0-8 overall). Trine had four different players with at least three goals, led by midfielders Emily Canepa (6 goals, 1 assist) and Taylor Gast (4 goals). Keys to the game for the Thunder were winning the total shots (2:1 in the first half) and ground ball (28-to-21) battle.
Freshman Anne Mammel (Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh) was strong in the opening minutes, firing the first three shots of the game, with the third one proving to be the charm as she dunked one in over Wilmington goalie Karalyne Brown . The Thunder then capitalized on a Quaker turnover and Mammel hit another shot from close range. Less than two minutes later, Trine was back on their end once again, and Mammel with an assist from junior Darcy Little (Williamsburg, Ohio/Williamsburg) this time had a hat-trick in a span of just under five minutes.
The 3-0 lead would prove important as it would be 3-2 after fouls on senior Emily Canepa (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) and Little led to two quick goals by Wilmington. Canepa and sophomore Kassi Armstrong (Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) responded with scores on the next two Thunder offensive possessions. After seven goals scored in seven minutes, the scoring would slow down for as both teams possessed the ball but failed to create a shot. Eventually, Trine sophomore Taylor Gast (Akron, Ind./Tippecanoe Valley) broke through the Wilmington defense and put one between the pipes. The Thunder had a 4-2 run to close the half, as they seemingly dominated their opponent on end yet couldn’t get a stop on the other.
Wilmington would play much better in the second after a 13-6 first half score. They were in a dead heat with Trine in every statistical category except the seven to five results on the scoreboard. Freshman Bronti Belanger (Haslett, Mich./Haslett) and Canepa came up big in the first ten minutes of the half, combining for three goals, the second coming off a Canepa feed to Belanger. A seven goal halftime lead proved to be as close as Wilmington would get for the remainder of the game, despite the Quakers best efforts. Trine built their lead to 20-9 with eight minutes left before two goals late rounded out the scoring.
In goal for the Thunder, sophomore Grace Garrett (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) earned her first win on the season stopping nine shots on the night.
Trine will return to action on April 6 when they travel to Alma for the first-ever MIAA conference game beginning at 1:00 p.m.
3/24 - Thunder Drop Home Opener
ANGOLA, Ind. - In their first home game of the year, the Trine University women’s lacrosse team fell to DePauw University 17-6.
Trine (0-2) fell behind early as DePauw scored the first three goals of the game, each of which came a minute apart. Freshman Anne Mammel (Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh) got the Thunder on the board with her first collegiate goal at 24:47 of the opening half. The Tigers would then score six straight goals to take a 9-1 lead. Senior Lauren Hood (Austintown, Ohio/Mineral Ridge) would close out the half with her first goal of the season on an assist from fellow senior Emily Canepa (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) with 5:57 to go.
Trailing 9-2 at the half, the Thunder came out with some fire as Canepa netted the first goal 2:17 into the second half. Just 12 seconds later through, the Tigers would answer back with a goal of their own as they would once again score six consecutive goals.
Mammel would end the Tiger’s streak as she netted her second goal of the game for Trine with 9:20 to play. After two more DePauw goals, Canepa scored her second of the game with 4:02 remaining in the game. Freshman Bronti Belanger (Haslett, Mich./Haslett) rounded out the scoring as she scored her fifth goal of the season with 1:40 to go.
Trine sophomore goalie Grace Garrett (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) made 14 saves on the day, 11 of which came in the first half. Garrett also led the Thunder with a game-high five groundballs while causing two turnovers. Canepa tied a game-high with four draw controls while leading Trine with three caused turnovers and also picking up three groundballs. Belanger also nabbed three groundballs on the day.
For the day, DePauw out-shot the Thunder 42-20. The Tigers also held a 29-21 advantage on groundballs and 14-11 on draw controls. Trine had a tough day clearing the ball as they converted on 8-of-27 chances while DePauw was able to successfully clear 12-of-17 chances.
Trine will return to action on March 30 when they travel to Wilmington College for a 4:00 p.m. game.
3/17 - Thunder Comeback Comes Up Just Short in Opener
OLIVET, Mich. - In their season-opener, the Trine University women’s lacrosse team had their second half comeback fall just short as they fell to Olivet College 12-8.
Olivet began the game scoring the first three goals before freshman Bronti Belanger (Haslett, Mich./Haslett) on the Thunder on the board at 21:58 of the first half. It would be Trine’s only goal of the half as the Comets netted six straight goals to close the half, including two in the final 59 seconds. With 41 seconds left in the half, the Thunder were given a red card for unsportsmanlike conduct, and had to play the rest of the game a player down.
The Thunder came out with a fire in the second half as they scored the first goal of the half by senior Emily Canepa (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) who scored on a free position attempt at 27:05. After an Olivet goal 18 seconds later, Canepa would score her second of the game. Sophomore Taylor Gast (Akron, Ind./Tippecanoe Valley) then scored her first career goal on a free position shot at 20:41. Olivet would counter with a free position goal of their own as they led 11-4.
The Thunder went on the offensive as they scored four straight goals to mount the comeback. Sophomore Kassi Armstrong (Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) would net her first goal of the season at 16:58. Belanger then went on to score three consecutive goals at 14:16, 13:33 and 9:46 to pull the Thunder within three. The Trine offense would be unable to pull any closer over the final 9 minutes as Olivet netted their final goal late in the half.
For the game, Olivet out-shot the Thunder 33-26. Trine held a 31-28 advantage on groundballs recovered while both teams had nearly identical numbers in turnovers and caused turnovers. Trine committed 26 errors while forcing 11 and Olivet committed 27 while causing 12.
The Thunder were able to hold Olivet to just 9-of-20 on clearing opportunities while Trine converted on 15-of-22 chances. Olivet held a 13-9 advantage on draw controls.
Belanger led the Thunder with four goals on the day and also grabbed five groundballs and two draw controls. Canepa added two goals and led the Thunder with four caused turnovers and three draw controls. Canepa tied for the team lead with sophomore goalie Grace Garrett (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) with six groundballs. Freshman Anne Mammel (Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh) also had three caused turnovers, three groundballs and two draw controls in her first collegiate game.
In goal, Garrett made nine saves on the afternoon, with seven coming in the first half.
Trine will return to action on March 24 when they host DePauw for their home-opener at noon.
2/1 - Thunder Picked to finish Sixth in MIAA Poll
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - In the first-ever Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) women’s lacrosse preseason poll, the Trine University squad was picked to finish sixth. This year marks the first season the MIAA is sponsoring women's and men's lacrosse as conference sports. The women’s league will feature seven schools in the first season, with Saint Mary’s and Kalamazoo adding teams in 2014.
Adrian was chosen as the preseason favorite to win the first MIAA women's lacrosse championship, receiving six of a possible seven first-place votes in the preseason poll of MIAA coaches. Hope, which was picked to finish second, received the other first-place vote. Coaches could not vote for their own teams. Trine, Adrian and Albion all previously faced off as members of the Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference (MWLC).
The Thunder look to hit the reset button under new head coach Jeannine Ravellette after a promising 2012 season was marred by injuries leading to a 2-7 finish in their final season as a member of the MWLC. After the loss of three All-Conference players in Ashley Kocsis, Emily Shreeve and Shelly Raupp to graduation, the 2013 team will have to have multiple players step up their game a notch to be competitive in the newly formed MIAA women’s lacrosse conference.
On offense, look for midfielders senior Emily Canepa and junior Lauren Hood to lead an improved attack that managed just seven goals per game last year. Sophomore Kassi Armstrong will also chip in to round out the attack unit.
Defensively, it all starts with sophomore goalie Grace Garrett. Garrett withstood a barrage of shots all season long, posting 70 saves while starting all nine games as a freshman. Defensemen senior Maria Duncan along with juniors Kenzie Boyer and Danielle Reuter will help to check the opponent’s best scorers and keep Garrett clean between the pipes.
Trine will have several new faces on the field including four freshmen that look to make an impact for the Thunder and coach Ravellette.
Poll Results (first-place votes in parenthesis): 1. Adrian (6) 6 pts. 2. Hope (1) 13. 3. Calvin 17. 4. Alma 19. 5. Olivet 27. 6. Trine 29. 7. Albion 36.
