-- Story provided by Hope College Athletics --

?The Hope College women's lacrosse team kicked off the 2026 NCAA Division III Championships with another historic achievement.

In the only Division III women's lacrosse game played on Friday, the Flying Dutch soared past Aurora University, 20-5, at the University of Chicago for their first victory in the national tournament.

The first MIAA team to claim four consecutive regular-season and tournament titles improved to 15-3 overall and advanced to the second round to face No. 20-ranked Chicago on Saturday, May 9, at 1 p.m Central.

"We're just really proud of this group. They give so much effort every day, and it shows," head coach Keagan Pieri said after her team made its fourth postseason appearance. "It's been a continuous journey. Our seniors started this four years ago, and it's amazing to see it come to the surface and allow us to compete further into May."

Chicago (10-5) drew a first-round bye. The two teams met on April 24, with the Maroons claiming a 24-10 victory.

The Flying Dutch, who won at Aurora 17-11 in March, struck quickly in the rematch — scoring the game's first three goals for a 3-0 lead at the 8-minute, 54-second mark in the first quarter. 

Sophomore attack Sarah Rott of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Catholic Central) opened the decisive surge, netting a woman-up goal 2:39 into the quarter. Senior midfielder Stella Bottum of Alto, Michigan (Caledonia) drew the assist.

After the ensuing draw control, Bottom set up junior attack Dani Dahlinger for a 2-0 lead. 

Freshman midfielder Lucy Harrell of Poland, Ohio (Poland Seminary) buried a free-position attempt 3 ½ minutes later for a 3-0 start. Aurora, the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference champion, broke through 45 seconds later, but Hope's lead grew to 7-1 by the end of the first quarter and 11-3 by halftime.

The Flying Dutch's balanced attack featured 10 different goal scorers.

Sophomore midfielder Annie Kipling of Spring Lake, Michigan (Spring Lake) contributed a team-high and career-best four goals along with a game-high three caused turnovers.

Bottum netted a team-high five points on three goals and two assists. 

Senior attack Julia Brown of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Forest Hills Central) and Rott each finished with four points: Brown on two goals and two assists and Rott on one goal and three assists.

Hope outshot the Spartans, 33-18, and caused 18 of their 28 turnovers.