Women's Lacrosse Draws Aurora in NCAA Championships Opener in Chicago

The MIAA-champion Hope College women's lacrosse team is headed to the Windy City for the opening round of the NCAA Division III Championships.

The Flying Dutch will face Aurora University (14-3) on Friday, May 8, in a first-round game at the University of Chicago at 1 p.m. Central. The winner will play Chicago (10-5) in the second round on Saturday, May 9.

Tickets will be sold at the gate: $10 for adults, $5 for seniors, students and children 17 and under. Admission is free for children 2 and under.

This is Hope's fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Championships and fourth overall. The Flying Dutch are the first MIAA women's lacrosse team to advance to four national tournaments in a row as MIAA Tournament champion.

On Saturday, Hope (14-3) won the MIAA Tournament by defeating second-seeded Calvin University, 16-8, at home at Van Andel Stadium after sharing the regular-season championship with the Knights.

The Flying Dutch featured six All-MIAA selections, led by the first sweep of MIAA Women's Lacrosse Most Valuable Player honors in program history, seniors Julia Brown and Caroline Curnutt led an esteemed group of six Hope College honorees on the 2026 All-MIAA 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. Brown and Curnutt 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.

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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