The Hope College women's lacrosse team begins a new era in the 2015 season with Kim Vincent's first season as head coach of the Flying Dutch.

Vincent takes over for Tracy Benjamin, a former Hope player who spearheaded the program's transition to the varsity level from club status and coached the Flying Dutch for two seasons.

Hope's season opener is Friday, March 6 at Otterbein, Ohio. The Flying Dutch's home debut is Saturday, April 11, vs. Kalamazoo.

Vincent comes to Hope from Grand Haven High School, where she spent seven seasons as head girls lacrosse coach for the Buccaneers. She founded Grand Haven's girls club program in 2005 and oversaw its growth to varsity status.

Vincent's first Hope team features a roster of 24 players, including two seniors, four juniors, eight sophomores and 10 freshmen.

Co-captains this season are senior Molly Greenfield of Georgetown, Texas (Georgetown HS), junior Abigale Cassella of Okemos, Michigan (Okemos HS), and junior Mackenzie Schumborg of Ann Arbor, Michigan (Saline HS).

Hope is looking to challenge for a berth in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament this spring. The Flying Dutch were picked sixth in the preseason coaches poll. Hope had a 6-7 overall record last season, including a fifth-place 4-4 MIAA record.

Greenfield, a midfielder, returns to lead the Flying Dutch offense. She finished second on the team with 22 goals and tied for the team-high with nine assists.

Senior midfielder Makenzie Bortell of Montague, Michigan (Montague HS), is another offensive leader back. She was sixth on the team with 11 goals and third with seven assists.

In addition to four of their leading scorers, Hope also must replace the production lost to their defense, including All-MIAA First Team Defender Stephanie Rogers. 

MIAA play begins for the Flying Dutch on Wednesday, April 1 at Saint Mary's.