The Hope College women's lacrosse team battled the entire game, showing its resiliency, but ultimately fell to Aurora University in the home-opener, 10-9, on Tuesday afternoon. 

Hope notched four of the last seven goals, but the Spartans' defense kept the home team at bay to secure the win, not allowing a goal in the last five minutes of game play. 

Junior Elena Salazar (Howell, Michigan / Howell) and freshman Julia Brown (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Central) topped Hope with three goals apiece. 

Sophomore Kerrigan Brown (DeWitt, Michigan / DeWitt) finished the first game at Van Andel Soccer Stadium this season with a team-high six shots, and a game-high four points on two goals and two assists. 

Hope was led by sophomore Mia Skibins (Granger, Indiana / Penn) with six ground balls in the one-goal game, while junior goaltender Maddie Yakes (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) made six saves in the loss. 

Hope's next match is Saturday, March 11, at 1 p.m. on the road against DePauw University.