The Hope College women's lacrosse team put up a strong fight but came up short in a high-scoring contest against Kenyon College on Friday afternoon, falling 16-13 at The Field at Benson Bowl. 

Despite a five-goal performance from junior Julia Brown (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Central HS) and a late surge, the Flying Dutch were unable to overcome the offensive firepower of Kenyon, which finished runner-up in the North Coast Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.

Brown scored a game-high five goals and added one assist.

Senior Kerrigan Brown (DeWitt, Michigan / DeWitt) and  junior Caleigh Randall (Lansing, Michigan / DeWitt) contributed five-point goals. Randall tallied three goals and two assists, while Kerrigan Brown chipped in two goals and three assists.

Hope (2-4) started the game with energy, taking an early lead on an unassisted goal from junior Stella Bottum (Alto, Michigan / Caledonia). 

The opening quarter remained competitive, with Julia Brown connecting for a second Hope goal off an assist from Kerrigan Brown for a 2-1 lead. Kenyon (3-4) responded with a flurry of scores, scoring four times in a span of 5 minutes, 13 seconds to finish the first period up 5-2. 

The Flying Dutch fought back in the second, with Randall and Julia Brown finding the net in quick succession to cut the deficit. A late goal from Kerrigan Brown sent Hope into halftime trailing 8-6.

Kenyon took control in the third quarter, scoring six times to pull ahead 14-9.

Lily Mason led a balanced Kenyon attack with four goals. Kenyon outshot the Flying Dutch, 42-34.

Junior goalkeeper Samantha Smith (Westfield, Indiana / Westfield) anchored Hope with a season-high 14 saves.

Hope heads to Panama City Beach, Florida, for a matchup against Nazareth University (New York) on Tuesday, March 18, at 7 p.m. CT.