The Hope College women's lacrosse team is getting used to making history.
The Flying Dutch made history yet again this season with a 21-11 MIAA Tournament semi-final win over Calvin University at home on Wednesday. The victory marked the sixth time in MIAA Tournament play that a team reached the 20 goal mark, as well as a program-best for goals in tournament play for Hope women's lacrosse. The 21 goals also tied as the second most in MIAA Tournament history.
"We are believing in each other this year, I think that is the difference in this team compared to last year," said head coach Keagan Pontious. "We know that we have put in the work to actually compete, and compete well."
The game started off with both teams trading goals within the first eight minutes of play. However, Hope quickly jumped to a 3-1 lead with goals from freshman Julia Brown (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Central) and junior Elena Salazar (Howell, Michigan / Howell), as well as a Kristen Szost (Jenison, Michigan / Jenison International Academy) free position goal.
From there, Calvin was never able to get closer than within two goals of Hope for the remainder of the game.
Salazar was on fire throughout the game, tallying four goals, including one where she faked out the Knights' goaltender with a stutter step and fired it into the open net.
The Flying Dutch put on an impressive display of offensive prowess, with five different players scoring during the seven-goal first period that put them ahead 7-2.
Hope continued to dominate, with seven more goals in the second period, fueled by a four-goal streak to end the period, bringing its lead to 14-6 at halftime.
The Flying Dutch had a total of eight different scorers, with Salazar leading the way with six goals and seven total points.
Junior Molly Frederickson (Alto, Michigan / Lowell) had a team-high eight points from five goals and three assists, while freshman Caleigh Randall (Lansing, Michigan / DeWitt) had a game-high 11 draw controls to help secure the victory.
Other notable performances included multi-goal nights from Randall, sophomore Juli Kirkpatrick (Granger, Indiana / Penn), and MIAA Rookie of the Year Julia Brown.
Hope also held Calvin's Megan Gilbert, the MIAA Offensive MVP of the season, to just three goals in the victory.
Junior Maddie Yakes (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) was in net for Hope, making nine saves en route to her 10th win of the season.
With this win, the Flying Dutch advance to the MIAA Tournament Championship game on Saturday, May 6, at home at Van Andel Soccer Stadium, where they will face off against Saint Mary's at 1 p.m.
