It was an electrifying night for the Hope College women's lacrosse team on Wednesday, as the Flying Dutch recorded a dominating 16-7 victory over Albion College at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.
With the win, Hope improved to 4-0 in league play and remains alone on top of the standings. The Flying Dutch are 7-5 overall.
The game started with a bang as junior Elena Salazar (Howell, Michigan / Hartland HS) tallied the first goal for Hope, making history as becoming the Hope College women's lacrosse all-time leading goal scorer with her 126th career goal.
Salazar, who ultimately scored five times to raise her cumulative tally to 130 by the end of the contest, surpassed former teammate Carly Pieri, who totaled 125 goals between 2018 and 2021.
"Elena has been so tough to stop this season, but she wouldn't be able to do this [and have this achievement] without the people around her," said head coach Keagan Pontious.
Albion quickly responded with two goals to take the lead, 2-1. Hope fought back with goals from freshman Caleigh Randall (Lansing, Michigan / DeWitt) and Salazar, tying the game at 3-3 after the first period.
Hope took control of the game in the second period, scoring six unanswered goals, including two goals from freshman Julia Brown (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Central) and Salazar's third and fourth goals of the game, putting Hope up 9-3 at halftime.
The Flying Dutch continued their unanswered streak with three more goals within the first three minutes of the third period, effectively sealing their lead.
Albion tried to rally, scoring four goals in the second half, but Hope tallied seven total goals in the third and fourth periods, overwhelming the Brits with their relentless Flying Dutch pressure.
"In the second half we definitely picked it up," said Pontious. "We picked up the pace and just were grinding it out, we were determined to keep doing the things on offense that we knew were working. It was such a great team effort."
Hope outshot Albion 40-24, with Salazar leading the team with her five goals.
Junior Molly Frederickson (Alto, Michigan / Lowell), who finished with five points on two goals and three assists, and five Flying Dutch players contributed two goals apiece in the win, including Frederickson, Randall, Brown, sophomore Juli Kirkpatrick (Granger, Indiana / Penn), and sophomore Ruthie Anderson (Lowell, Michigan / Lowell).
Freshman Caroline Curnutt (Fishers, Indiana / Heritage Christian) had a team-high seven draw-controls, while junior goaltender Maddie Yakes (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) made 10 saves in the win and led with four ground balls for Hope.
The Flying Dutch will look to continue their winning ways as they travel to take on Calvin University on Saturday, April 22, at 1 p.m.
