by Odille Parker

The Hope College women's lacrosse team is headed to its third title game after an electric start and decisive first half propelled them to a win over Calvin University in Wednesday night's MIAA Semifinals.

Third-seeded Hope defeated second-seeded Calvin, 19-9, to advance to the MIAA Tournament Championship game on Saturday, May 1 against top-seeded Saint Mary's at a time to be determined. 

Midfielder Paige Wilmer (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington HS) led Hope in scoring for the night with a career-high seven goals, including five in the first half. The senior, pictured right, tied for the third most goals in an MIAA Tournament game.

Attacker Sophie Ackerman of East Grand Rapids (East Grand Rapids HS) set MIAA Tournament and Flying Dutch records with a career-high eight assists  The junior also contributed two goals.

Midfielder Madison Micho put the Flying Dutch on the board 56 seconds into the first half with the first of her four goals. The senior from Grand Rapids (East Grand Rapids HS) won the draw control less than a minute later, setting up midfielder Paige Wilmer for her first goal of the night, establishing a lead that Hope maintained for the remainder of the game.

The win, coupled with Saturday's 20-12 victory over Trine University, marks the two highest-scoring games in an MIAA Tournament for the Flying Dutch. 

A strong defensive effort by Hope held the Knights to four goals in the first half, setting up the offense for good scoring opportunities. The Flying Dutch recorded 13 goals for the half, including three by freshman attacker Elena Salazar (Howell/Hartland HS).

Ackerman, pictured left, also contributed two goals.

Hope and Calvin were head to head at groundballs, with the Flying Dutch having a slight advantage at 22-18 for the night, including six pick-ups by Micho.

The Knights tallied two goals to kick off the second half, but Hope responded with three back-to-back-to-back goals by Carly Pieri, Ackerman and Wilmer. Pieri (Alto/Caledonia HS) netted another goal and caused five turnovers for the night.

Senior attacker Rachel Elder (Grand Rapids/East Grand Rapids HS) also had one goal.

At goalie, freshman Maddie Yakes of Rockford (Rockford HS) had eight saves.