The Hope College women's lacrosse team turned an early tight road battle into a statement win on Saturday, erupting for seven goals during the third quarter to power past the University of Mount Union, 18–9, in Alliance, Ohio.
The victory against last season's Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament champion and NCAA Division III Championships qualifier lifted the Flying Dutch to 6–1on the season.
Hope opened the day with strong attacking rhythm, striking five times in the first quarter. Senior Julia Brown (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Central HS) recorded a first-quarter hat trick, which foreshadowed a historic performance for the attacker.
Brown went on to set a new program record of nine goals, surpassing the eight goal bar she put up in the 2025 season. Mount Union (2-4) hung around after the Brown hat trick, capitalizing on free-position chances and defensive stops to keep the margin close.
After a quieter second quarter that saw each team trade goals, Hope's lead stood at just 6–4 at halftime, leaving the game very much in the balance. Everything changed after the break.
The Flying Dutch stormed out of the locker room with a dominating attack, overwhelming Mount Union in draw controls, shot creation, and finishing.
Senior Caleigh Randall (Lansing, Michigan / DeWitt) opened the half with a goal just 36 seconds in, and Hope never looked back. Brown, sophomore Elliana Hillard (DeWitt, Michigan / DeWitt), and sophomore Sarah Rott (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Catholic Central) all joined the scoring run as Hope piled up seven third-quarter goals while allowing just one on the defensive end.
The surge stretched the lead to 13–5 and effectively sealed the contest.
Hope closed the fourth quarter with poise, matching Mount Union's late pushes and adding five more goals, with Brown striking twice in the final three minutes to secure the nine-goal win.
Brown led the way with her nine goals and 10 point outing for Hope.
Randall was a force on both ends, collecting three goals, two assists, three caused turnovers, and two draw controls, while also facilitating key possessions during Hope's third-quarter run .Hillard added a hat trick of her own, striking once in the first half and twice during the third-quarter burst. Rott contributed a steady two goals and two assists.
Senior Sydney LaPrairie (Rochester, Michigan / Stoney Creek) tallied three assists .
In goal, senior Samantha Smith (Westfield, Indiana / Westfield) anchored the defense with six saves across all 60 minutes.
Hope returns to play on Monday, March 30, at 4 p.m. at Piedmont University in Demorest, Georgia.
