GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – As thoroughbred horses were running in the Kentucky Derby Saturday, Albion College women's lacrosse coach Shanta Loecker figured her team's best chance for a victory in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament championship game was to pull on the reins.

Other than unforced turnovers, Loecker said the Britons perfectly executed the plan of controlling the pace as they reached the winners circle with an 11-10 win over the Knights.

With the victory, Albion improved to 15-2 and gained the MIAA's automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III Championship. The Britons will receive their tournament assignment on the selection show, set for a 9:30 Sunday night webcast on NCAA.com.

"Calvin is a skilled team," Loecker said. "We did a good job of understanding we couldn't get in a race with a team faster than us. We were more patient and composed."

Ashley Glenn scored seven goals, with the most important being the game-winner that broke a 10-10 tie with 7:22 left.

The contributions by Kadie Koolwick, who won 14 draw controls, scooped six ground balls and dished out two assists, and Julie Wood, who produced a goal and four assists, was just as important as all of Glenn's goals. Mackenzie Novak and Cait Gaitley chipped in with a goal and an assist apiece, Shannon Kahl produced a goal, and Lauren Wiegand dished out an assist.

"Kadie was a superstar on the draw and Julie played an amazing, smart game in how she executed the plan," Loecker said.

"We have stars, but our strength comes from the way we come together as a team," Loecker said. "They trusted the plan and fought for every loose ball."

Albion dominated the box score, winning 46 ground balls. Kahl pounced on eight and Glenn and Novak came up with seven apiece.

Turnovers, it seemed, was the only thing that could stop the Britons.

"We gained possession only to turn the ball over," Loecker said. "It was a case of nerves and getting a step ahead of ourselves because, while the grass surface was different from what we're used to, we knew what we were getting into."

Glenn, Novak, and Melissa Wilson – the three seniors on the Albion roster – are savoring the victory considering the state of the program when they were first-year students at Albion.

"I am beyond grateful for how the seniors stuck it out for four years," Loecker said. "They are tough and committed. Their leadership is the reason we had this opportunity to play for the tournament championship."