Fresh off a breakthrough season, the Hope College women’s lacrosse team heads into the 2024 campaign as the MIAA’s team to beat.
The Flying Dutch are unanimous favorites in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll after receiving all seven possible first-place votes and totaling 49 points. Coaches could not vote for their own team.
Hope finished 13 points ahead of second-place Alma College. Alma was followed by Calvin University (35), Trine University (29), Saint Mary’s College (26), Kalamazoo College (21, first-place vote), Albion College (20) and Adrian College (8).
The Flying Dutch are looking to build on a 12-6 record in 2023 that included a 7-0 mark in MIAA play and the program’s first MIAA regular-season championship.
Hope went on to win the MIAA Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Division III Championships for the first time in program history. The Flying Dutch lost to Denison University (Ohio) in the first round by an 18-10 margin.
Seven of Hope’s eight All-MIAA selections from last season are back this spring.
Four returnees were first-team selections: senior midfielder Molly Frederickson (Alto, Michigan / Lowell HS), senior attacker Elena Salazar (Howell, Michigan / Hartland), and sophomore attacker Julia Brown (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Central), and sophomore midfielder Caleigh Randall (DeWitt, Michigan / DeWitt).
Julia Brown also became the Flying Dutch’s first Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Coaches all-region honoree as a sophomore.
Salazar is already Hope’s career leader in goals with 150 and points with 173.
Three more returnees were second-teamers: senior goalkeeper Maddie Yakes (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford), junior attacker Juli Kirkpatrick (Granger, Indiana / Penn) and sophomore midfielder Caroline Curnutt (Fishers, Indiana / Heritage Christian).
Led by head coach Keagan Pontious, Hope starts the 2024 season on Saturday, Feb. 24, at noon vs. visiting Capital University (Ohio) at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.
The Flying Dutch’s first MIAA game is Wednesday, April 3, at 4 p.m. vs. visiting Alma College at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.
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