The standard has been set high, and Hope College women's lacrosse has shown no signs of slowing down. 

After claiming three straight MIAA regular-season and tournament championships, the Flying Dutch enter 2026 with momentum, experience, and the confidence of a program that has won 25 consecutive league games across the last three seasons.

Hope finished 13–6 overall last spring and delivered a perfect 7–0 MIAA record, extending a dominant run that has reshaped the conference landscape. 

With a deep roster, a decorated senior class, and the return of multiple all-league standouts, the Orange and Blue once again open the year as the preseason favorite in the MIAA coaches poll.

"We are the most athletic we've ever had. which is amazing," said head coach Keagan Pieri. "We can do different things in the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. We've got a lot good humans who are ready to work extra hard. I'm excited where that is going to take us this season."

ROSTER

Hope brings back a lineup anchored by 2024 Most Valuable Player Julia Brown, who continues to rewrite the program record book. The senior attacker broke two of her own single-season marks last year, points and goals, finishing the 2025 campaign with 74 goals and 19 assists. 

Her career total of 193 goals ranks second all-time at Hope, just behind Elena Salazar '24 (196).

Brown is joined by a strong supporting cast, including two other returning First Team All-MIAA selections (Caroline Curnutt and Caleigh Randall) and two Second Team honorees (Stella Bottum and Sydney LaPrairie), giving Hope one of the most experienced and decorated cores in the league.

Hope enters the 2026 season with a 27-player roster that blends veteran leadership with a deep group of underclass contributors. 

The team is anchored by a seven-member senior class consisting of Sydney LaPrairie (Rochester, Michigan / Stoney Creek HS), Caroline Curnutt (Fishers, Indiana / Heritage Christian), Caleigh Randall (Lansing, Michigan / DeWitt), Ruby Heuermann (Granger, Indiana / Penn), Carly Llewellyn (Spring Lake, Michigan / Spring Lake), Julia Brown (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Central), and Samantha Smith (Westfield, Indiana / Westfield).

The junior class is formed by the duo of Dani Dahlinger (Mattawan, Michigan / Mattawan) and Stella Bottum (Alto, Michigan / Caledonia).

A large sophomore class of twelve players adds significant depth across all positions, featuring Jillian Paul (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford), Megan Bushart (Caledonia, Michigan / Caledonia), Madison Pyle (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford), Katie Hicks (Schwenksville, Pennsylvania / Hill School), Jae Vanderbeek (Hudsonville, Michigan Hudsonville), Abigayle Agbay (Bloomfield Hill, Michigan / Bloomfield Hills), Abigail Sienkiewicz (Garden City, Michigan / Saint Catherine of Siena), Kayla Reis (Westfield, Indiana / Westfield), Annie Kipling (Spring Lake, Michigan / Spring Lake), Elliana Hillard (DeWitt, Michigan / DeWitt), Ireland Brown (DeWitt, Michigan / DeWitt), and Sarah Rott (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Catholic Central). 

The roster is rounded out by six newcomers:  Soren Wierbicki (Washington Township, Michigan / Dwight D. Eisenhower), Maggie Rennick (Elmhurst, Illinois / York Community), Lucy Harrell (Poland, Ohio / Poland Seminary), Riley Putnam (Carmel, Indiana / Carmel), Sophie Lee (Libertyville, Illinois / Libertyville), and Mya Burgess (Caledonia, Michigan / Caledonia). 

COACHING STAFF

Head coach: Keagan Pieri, 7th season
Associate head coach: Rich Prusynski
Assistant coach: Theodora Krueger

SCHEDULE

Hope opens the season at home on Friday, February 20 at 5 p.m. against Grove City College. 

The Flying Dutch will play seven non-league games before beginning MIAA action on Wednesday, April 1 at Calvin University at 7 p.m.

The top six teams in the MIAA standings qualify for the league tournament, which begins Saturday, April 25. The first- and second-place finishers earn first-round byes. 

"Our pre-conference schedule is really difficult. We face many teams who are great programs and are going to be ready to compete against us. We're not averse to tough teams. We hope that prep rolls us in conference play."