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Pictured, from left, Caroline Curnutt, Julia Brown, Stella Bottum, Jillian Paul, Ireland Brown, Caleigh Randall

Women's Lacrosse 4/28/2026 11:56:00 AM Alan Babbitt

Women's Lacrosse Sweeps MVP Honors, Claims Four More All-MIAA Recipients

Seniors Julia Brown and Caroline Curnutt both are named Most Valuable Players

Seniors Julia Brown and Caroline Curnutt — the first Hope College women's lacrosse teammates to sweep MIAA Most Valuable Player honors — lead an esteemed group of six Flying Dutch honorees on the 2026 All-MIAA Women's Lacrosse Teams.

Curnutt, the MIAA Defensive MVP, and Brown, the MIAA Offensive MVP for the second time in her career, headline 26 All-MIAA recipients chosen by the league's coaches. They are joined by teammates Stella Bottum and Caleigh Randall on the All-MIAA First Team, and Ireland Brown and Jillian Paul on the All-MIAA Second Team. Julia Brown, Curnutt and Randall are Hope's first four-time All-MIAA recipients.

The six led the Flying Dutch to a 6-1 league record and the top seed for the MIAA Tournament. Hope became the first program in league history to capture at least a share of four consecutive MIAA titles, winning them outright between 2023 and 2025.

Julia Brown topped the MIAA with 28 goals in seven league games, averaging 4.00 per game. The senior sociology major from Grand Rapids, Michigan (Forest Hills Central) also ranked second with 39 points at 5.57 against MIAA opponents. She was also named MIAA MVP as a sophomore.

Curnutt led a defense that allowed a league-low 57 goals during league play. The senior elementary education major from Fishers, Indiana (Heritage Christian) contributed 30 draw controls, averaging 4.29 per game.

Randall topped the MIAA in draw controls with 51 in league play, averaging 7.29, and tied for fourth in ground balls with 22, averaging 3.14. The senior midfielder and elementary education major from Lansing, Michigan (DeWitt) scored six goals and contributed one assist against MIAA opponents.

Bottum claimed back-to-back MIAA accolades. The senior midfielder and exercise science major from Alto, Michigan (Caledonia) totaled 22 goals in league games, averaging 3.14, and 24 points.

Ireland Brown earned her first All-MIAA honor. The sophomore midfielder and elementary education major from DeWitt, Michigan (DeWitt) totaled 11 ground balls, nine goals and three assists during MIAA play.

Paul received her first All-MIAA accolade. The sophomore defender from Rockford, Michigan (Rockford) helped anchor the Hope defense, recording four ground balls and two caused turnovers against league opponents.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Stella Bottum: M; Senior; Exercise Science

#5 Ireland Brown: M; Sophomore; Elementary Education

#32 Julia Brown: A; Senior; Psychology

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

#28 Jillian Paul: D; Sophomore

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

Players Mentioned

#12 Stella Bottum
: Senior; Exercise Science
: M

#5 Ireland Brown
: Sophomore; Elementary Education
: M

#32 Julia Brown
: Senior; Psychology
: A

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

#28 Jillian Paul
: Sophomore
: D

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