The Hope College women's soccer team put the Hammer down in the MIAA opener.

Forward Natalie Hammer buried a cross from fellow junior Madison Holloway into the back of the net 10 minutes into the second half at Adrian College on Wednesday.

Hammer's second goal of the season propelled the Flying Dutch to a 1-0 victory in their third consecutive game decided by one goal.

Holloway (Macatawa, Michigan / Holland Christian HS) set up Hammer (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) for the decisive tally.

Holloway picked up a loose ball near midfield and sprinted up the far sideline. About 10 years before the end line, Holloway turned and fired an on-target cross to Hammer, who was centered just outside the goal box.

Head coach Leigh Sears said the Flying Dutch have been working on the accuracy of their crosses, and the work paid dividends.

"We've been trying to do that, but we've played them right to the keeper," Sears said. "Madison got herself on a run and put it in a dangerous spot for Natalie."

Shots were at a premium throughout the game. Hope held a slim 6-4 edge in shots over the Bulldogs.

Junior Parker Hutchinson (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Northern) made two saves for the Flying Dutch, who improved to 5-2-1 overall. Adrian fell to 4-3-2 overall and 0-1 in MIAA play.

"It's always hard to play at Adrian, and they played super hard. It was 0-0 at halftime, so we changed it up a little bit and got our goal," head coach Leigh Sears said. "The MIAA is a different beast. Every game is a battle."

Hope continues a stretch of six consecutive road games on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 4 p.m. at Trine University. Both teams received first-place votes in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll; the Flying Dutch finished second, while the Thunder took third.