BEVERLY HILLS, Mich. – Albion College ripped off five goals in a 3:13 stretch early in the second half to pull away for a 17-11 victory over Beloit (Wis.) College in the first women's lacrosse contest of the season for both teams.

Albion spent the first half adjusting to having Kadie Koolwick, one of the starting midfielders and team captains, sidelined with an illness. Ashley Glenn and Alyssa Glenn scored three goals apiece and Mackenzie Novak scored with three minutes left as the Britons held a 7-6 halftime lead.

"We moved a few people around," Albion Head Coach Shanta Loecker said when asked about her team's second half surge. "Kadie connects the team on the field.

"Shannon Kahl stood out in the second half," Loecker said. "She is a first-year player who is still getting used to playing in the midfield, but she did a good job of connecting the defense with the offense. She also made a lot of hustle plays."

Kahl produced the fourth goal during the surge when Albion extended the margin to 12-6. Her second tally gave Albion a 13-7 cushion midway through the second half.

Albion led by as many as seven goals, but Beloit didn't wilt. Michelle Dillon scored twice and Libby Storrick chipped in with a goal and two assists as the Buccaneers rallied to trim the Briton lead to 14-10 with 12:45 left in regulation.

Albion protected the lead, getting an unassisted goal from Novak and free position scores from Ashley Glenn and Lauren Wiegand.

Alyssa and Ashley Glenn finished with five goals apiece. Novak also collected five points on three goals and two assists.  Julie Wood chipped in with a goal and two assists.

Albion would have scored more if not for the outstanding effort by Beloit goalkeeper Marie Bonine who stopped 21 shots.

Albion will play its next four games out of the state before finally making its campus debut against Illinois Wesleyan University March 21. The Britons will begin racking up the mileage Feb. 28 when it travels to Berea, Ohio, for a 1 o'clock game against Baldwin-Wallace University.

Many coaches believe their teams make their biggest improvement between the first and second games, and Loecker said she has points to emphasize in practice in the coming days.

"I think we have plenty of work to do," Loecker said of her first impression from the contest. "I think we will focus on finishing plays and controlling what we can control. I think there were times when we would get confused by a (referee's) call and that would affect the next play. We can't let that happen.

"The team improved in the second half, but we're still far from where we want to be," Loecker added.