ORIGINS OF HOPE WOMEN'S LACROSSE
Women's lacrosse started as a club program at Hope College in 2000 and joined the intercollegiate program in 2012-13.
PROGRAM MILESTONES
The 2024 team swept MIAA regular-season and tournament titles for the first time. The Flying Dutch advanced to the NCAA Division III Championships for the second time in program history and lost to Roanoke College (Va.), in the opening round, 25-6, at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. Hope set a school record for single-season victories with a 13-5 record.
The 2023 team accomplished several firsts, including the first NCAA Division III Championships appearance and the first MIAA regular-season and tournament titles. The Flying Dutch defeated third-seeded Saint Mary's College, 18-13, in the championship game of the MIAA Tournament at Van Andel Soccer Stadium. Hope lost to Denison University (Ohio), 18-10, in the first round of the Division III championships at the University of Chicago.
The 2019 team finished with a school-record 11 victories.
The 2017 team clinched its first appearance in an MIAA Tournament championship game with a 12-11 semifinal victory at second-seeded Saint Mary's. Erin Caton recorded the winning goal with 24 seconds remaining in regulation.
PLAYERS AND PERFORMANCES OF NOTE
Attacker Julia Brown became the Flying Dutch's first MIAA Most Valuable Offensive Player and 60-goal, single-season scorer in 2024.
In 2023, Delaney Kironovic made history as Hope's first MIAA Most Valuable Player in the sport by receiving the top defensive honor from the league's coaches.
In her junior season,
attacker Elena Salazar became the Flying Dutch's all-time leading scorer and the first to reach 150 career goals. Salazar finished with 196 goals over four seasons.
Rachel Elder tied a Van Andel Soccer Stadium record with seven goals on March 30, 2021 during a 19-6 home victory vs. Adrian. She was the fourth member of the Flying Dutchmen to accomplish the feat.
Sophie Ackermann set a team record with five assists on February 23, 2021 during a 19-12 victory against Calvin University at Van Andel Soccer Stadium. It was the season opener and the first match for Hope since the COVID-19 pandemic halted an abbreviated 2020 season.
On May 1, 2019, Hope became the first MIAA team to defeat the top seed in the MIAA Tournament with a 13-12 semifinal victory against Saint Mary's College. Carly Pieri scored the winning goal with 52 seconds remaining in regulation. It was the Flying Dutch's second postseason victory.
Maddie Ferguson scored an MIAA Tournament-record nine goals during a 2013 semifinal loss at Alma.Â
Molly Greenfield and Katie Sabourin earned Hope's first all-league honors as All-MIAA selections in 2013.Â
The Flying Dutch marked their first home game at Van Andel Soccer Stadium by celebrating Hope's first collegiate women's lacrosse victory with a 22-1 victory over Loras, Iowa on March 27, 2013. Hope totally dominated the field as 12 players scored a goal behind a 40-3 advantage in shots. The Flying Dutch led 18-0 at halftime. Molly Greenfield and Katie Sabourin each scored four goals while Olivia Keinath, Emily Oliver and Alicia Curmi scored two apiece. Goalkeeper Jessica Donnell had two saves.
Host Augustana, Ill. spoiled Hope's collegiate debut defeating the Flying Dutch 20-4 on March 8, 2013. Maddie Ferguson, Katie Sabourin, Linnea Ridlen, and Alicia Crumm scored for the Flying Dutch. Goalkeepers Jessica Donnell and Racquel Harrouck combined for 12 saves.
COACHES OF NOTE
In her fourth season, Keagan Pontious guided Hope to its first MIAA championship in 2023. Pontious repeated the feat in 2024.
Kim Vincent led Hope for five seasons before her retirement in 2019. She led the Flying Dutch to 41 victories during her tenure and winning records in each of her final four seasons.
Tracy Benjamin '09 guided her alma mater in its first varsity season in 2013. She played club lacrosse for the Flying Dutch, then served as the club's head coach in 2012.
