by Alan Babbitt

A fast start launched the Hope College women's lacrosse team to an 18-7 victory at Adrian College on Wednesday.

The Flying Dutch scored the first three goals of the game and never trailed.

Pictured from left, Elena Salazar and Madison Micho

Hope (9-6, 4-2 MIAA) remained one game of fifth-place Calvin University in the league standings with one game remaining. The Flying Dutch are tied for third place with Saint Mary's College - one game behind Albion College and Trine University.

In other MIAA action on Wednesday, Trine edged Saint Mary's, 14-13 in overtime, while Albion lost to Calvin, 15-10.

The top four teams in the regular season qualify for next week's MIAA Tournament. Hope plays at Kalamazoo College on Saturday, April 30, at 4 p.m.

At Adrian, the Flying Dutch jumped to a 3-0 lead during the first 4 minutes, 15 seconds on goals from freshman Ruthie Anderson, senior Madison McCreery, and freshman Juli Kirkpatrick.

The Bulldogs scored 38 seconds after Kirkpatrick scored, but Hope answered with the next three from Kirkpatrick, senior Sophie Ackermann during a penalty kill, and Elena Salazar for a 6-1 lead with 2:57 remanning.

The Flying Dutch extended the lead to 10-3 by halftime.

Salazar (Howell, Michigan / Hartland HS) scored a team-high 10 points on six goals and four assists.

The first two-time 40-goal scorer in team history now has a career-high 47 goals this season and 91 for her career. Salazar is the sixth member of the Flying Dutch to eclipse 90 career goals. She is four from equaling the single-season Hope record.

Senior Madison Micho (Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Grand Rapids) chipped three goals and a season-high four assists. Micho reached the 40-goal mark for the first time in her career and has 41 in 15 games. With 97 career goals, Micho is closing in on joining former teammates Carly Pieri '21 and Rachel Elder '21 as 100-goal scorers.

McCreery (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) chipped in three goals and one assists.

Ackermann (East Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Grand Rapids) and Kirkpatrick (Granger, Indiana / Penn) contributed two goals and one assist apiece.

Anderson (Lowell, Michigan / Lowell) finished with two goals.

Sophomore goalie Maddie Yakes (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) earned the win after making three saves and allowing five goals during the first three quarters. Freshman Liz Kelley (Brighton, Michigan / Brighton) played the fourth quarter, totaling three saves and one goal allowed.