Three-Time Champion Women's Lacrosse Tops MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

The Hope College women's lacrosse team will begin a historic quest as the unanimous preseason favorite in the 2026 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Flying Dutch, winners of the past three MIAA regular-season and tournament titles, received all seven first-place votes and topped the field with 49 points.

Coaches could not vote for their own teams. Second-place Calvin University received one first-place vote and finished with 43 points. Trine University was third with 36 points, followed by Adrian College (31), Kalamazoo College (25), Albion College (19), Alma College (13) and Saint Mary's College (8).

Hope is seeking to become the first team in league history to win the MIAA Tournament four consecutive times. The Flying Dutch went 7-0 in 2025 to become the first program to three-peat as regular-season champion and extended their conference regular-season winning streak to 24 games since 2021.

Head coach Keagan Pieri, the 2025 MIAA Women's Lacrosse Coach of the Year, is entering her seventh season.

The Flying Dutch return five All-MIAA selections, including senior attacker Julia Brown (Grand Rapids, Michigan/Forest Hills Central), a three-time All-MIAA honoree who was named the MIAA's Most Valuable Offensive Player as a sophomore.

Midfielder Caleigh Randall (DeWitt, Michigan/DeWitt) earned her third All-MIAA honor with second-team recognition last season. She was a first-team selection in 2024 and 2023. Defender Caroline Curnutt (Fishers, Indiana/Heritage Christian) is a three-time All-MIAA honoree who received first-team recognition for the second time in 2025 as a junior.

Midfielders Stella Bottum (Alto, Michigan/Caledonia) and Sydney LaPrairie (Rochester, Michigan/Stoney Creek) were All-MIAA second-team selections last season.

Hope opens the season Friday, Feb. 20, at 5 p.m. against Grove City College (Pennsylvania) at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Stella Bottum: M; Junior; Exercise Science

#32 Julia Brown: A; Senior; Psychology

#7 Caroline Curnutt: D; Senior; Elementary Education: PreK-3, 3-6

#1 Sydney LaPrairie: M; Senior; Nursing

#23 Caleigh Randall: M; Senior; Elementary Education: PreK-3, 3-6

Players Mentioned

#12 Stella Bottum
: Junior; Exercise Science
: M

#32 Julia Brown
: Senior; Psychology
: A

#7 Caroline Curnutt
: Senior; Elementary Education: PreK-3, 3-6
: D

#1 Sydney LaPrairie
: Senior; Nursing
: M

#23 Caleigh Randall
: Senior; Elementary Education: PreK-3, 3-6
: M