Kristen Szost
WOMEN’S LACROSSE
A Hope College women’s lacrosse team determined to make history this season started off on the right foot.
The Flying Dutch erupted in the second half for a 19-12 victory in Tuesday’s season opener against visiting Calvin University — claiming their second victory all-time against the Knights and the first since April 24, 2013.
Fourteen second-half goals, including five from midfielder Paige Wilmer, propelled Hope. The score was tied 5-5 after the opening 30 minutes.
The outcome counted toward Hope’s overall record, but not toward the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association standings. The MIAA title chase for the Flying Dutch — who finished first in the league’s 2021 preseason coaches poll — will start on March 24 at Calvin.
The Knights had won the previous nine meetings against Hope. Calvin leads the all-time series, 9-2.
Everyone chipped in to make that happen for the Flying Dutch. Wilmer led a group of seven Hope goalscorers with a career-high six. The senior from Columbus, Ohio (Upper Arlington HS) finished one goal from equaling the Flying Dutch’s Van Andel Soccer Stadium record.
Junior attacker Sophie Ackerman of East Grand Rapids, Michigan (East Grand Rapids) set a Hope record with five assists during a home match. She passed the mark Maddie Ferguson had held since an April 16, 2013 effort against Siena Heights).
SOFTBALL
The Hope College softball team is predicted to be in the hunt for a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship this spring.
The Flying Dutch finished third in the 2021 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll with 51 points and one first-place vote.
Coaches could not vote for their own teams. Trine University, the 2019 regular-season champion, topped the poll with 61 points and six first-place votes. Calvin University was runner-up with 54 points and two first-place votes.
Led by head coach Mary VandeHoef, Hope returns three All-MIAA athletes this season. The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senior Savannah Dixon (Niles, Michigan/Edwardsburg HS) is a first-team shortstop who has a career .354 batting average, eight career home runs, and 78 career RBIs.
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