After four non-conference games, the Calvin women’s lacrosse team stands level with two wins and two losses. The team has come ready to score every game, recording 46 goals so far.

Both victories were accompanied by 15 goals and the Knights also allowed fewer than 10 goals. Michelle Holwerda, senior attack and one of the team’s three co-captains, believes that despite the few substitutes available, the Knights are a strong team.

When on the attack, Holwerda focuses on creating opportunities for her teammates. “We’re not always looking for the perfect goal, but to put pressure on the defense and get free chances.” She leads the team with eight assists and added a goal on the side. Goal leaders are freshman Emily Cefaratti with 12, junior Karissa Reed with eight and sophomore Carolyn Forbes with seven.

Reed, a midfielder and second co-captain, was satisfied with the work her teammates put in during the first four games of the season. Their first opportunity to put the defense and offense together as one unit may have resulted in a 15-8 loss to Otterbein University, but they hope to learn from the experience.

Reed added, “We want to be one goal better every day. We have a ‘one more’ attitude because every one more thing you do will help you and your teammates.” This attitude is the result of tying for fourth in conference last season, but falling out of tournament discussion because they didn’t score as many goals as the opposition.

As a second-year varsity program at Calvin, these ladies are setting the tone for the future of the program.  Junior defender Delaney Callahan is proud of the way the team comes together and hopes that they will continue to grow throughout the upcoming season.

Callahan reflected on expectations for the rest of the season. “I expect to see tenacity and determination in games. Our coaches have done a good job of instilling a winning vision for this new program.”

After a spring break trip of three games down south, the Knights will begin conference play against Hope at home on April 2. Be sure to get out and support them.