KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College women's lacrosse team lost its home opener 18-3 to Aurora University on Thursday at MacKenie Field. Kalamazoo dropped to 2-2 overall with the loss, while Aurora improved to 4-0 on the season.

Aurora scored just over four minutes into the contest and led 2-0 at the 8:32 mark. A pair of goals in the final 1:10 of the quarter gave the Spartans a 4-0 lead at the end of one.

Aurora scored twice early in the second before Hannah Heeren scored Kalamazoo's first goal. Heeren scored again midway through the quarter making it an 8-2 score, but Aurora scored two more times to take a 10-2 lead into halftime.

Aurora pulled away with five goals in the third and three in the fourth. Abbie Caza scored Kalamazoo's third goal late in the fourth quarter.

Aurora outshot Kalamazoo 30-9 overall, 22-6 on goal. The Spartans also held advantages in ground balls (20-14) and draw controls (15-9).

Hannah Heeren led the Hornets with two goals and three caused turnovers.

Abbie Caza scored once and assisted on a goal. Jordan Doyle also had an assist. 

Elena Basso led the team with three ground balls. Sophie Hartel had a team-high four draw controls.

Kalamazoo is back in action at home on Thursday, March 16, with a 1 p.m. start against Wisconsin-La Crosse.