by Odille Parker

The Hope College women's lacrosse team had its first loss of the season on Wednesday night at Calvin University. The Knights edged the Flying Dutch 14-11.

The loss drops Hope's record to 6-1.

Calvin had an electric start, scoring five unanswered goals to take the lead early on. Attacker Elena Salazar put the Flying Dutch on the board with 9:32 minutes left in the first half, following up with another goal less than three minutes later. The freshman from Howell (Hartland HS) led Hope in scoring with three goals. 

Calvin answered with three more goals, and maintained the lead for the remainder of the game, but not without a hard-fought battle by Hope in the second half. 

The Flying Dutch rallied from a five-goal deficit 9 minutes and 36 seconds into the second half, scoring three unanswered goals to bring the score 8-10. Calvin answered with two goals. Hope scored three more goals to end the half, but the Knights also had an additional two.

Junior attacker Sophie Ackerman of East Grand Rapids (East Grand Rapids HS), senior midfielder Paige Wilmer of Columbus, Ohio (Upper Arlington HS), and senior midfielder Carly Pieri of Alto (Caledonia HS) each tallied two goals. 

Goalies Laurel Frederickson of Alto (Lowell HS) and Maddie Yakes of Rockford (Rockford HS) each had four saves for the night. 

Defensively, freshman midfielder Molly Frederickson of Alto (Lowell HS) caused four turnovers.

Hope's next match is on Saturday, March 27 against Saint Mary's in Indiana. Game time is 1 p.m.