HOLLAND, Mich. - The Saint Mary's lacrosse team was unable to overcome an early deficit in a 15-7 setback at Hope on Saturday afternoon.
The Flying Dutch got on the scoreboard first with a goal 3:20 into play.
Emily Kraker made a big save on the next Hope possession, but a pair of shots by
Erin Doyle were saved over the next four-plus minutes of action. Hope made it a 2-0 game with 23:07 on the clock, but the Belles got right back into business a short while later. Doyle connected a pass with
Katie Haas, and Haas buried the shot to make it 2-1 as Doyle collected her 300th career point. The Flying Dutch came up with a big offensive response with a quick goal and two more goals for a 5-1 lead midway through the half.
Saint Mary's continued to battle as Doyle saw two shots saved while
Erin Dotson hit the pipe twice.
Gabby Belsito buried a free position shot into the back of the net with under eight minutes remaining on the clock to make it a 5-2 score. Kraker made a huge save on a point-blank shot, but the Flying Dutch collected the ground ball off the save and scored to push the difference back to four goals. Hope added a goal in the final two minutes of the period to hold a 7-2 lead at the halftime break.
The Belles built some early momentum in the second half as
Molly Mullett got on the scoreboard with an assist to
Gabby Belsito in the opening two-plus minutes. An
Emily Kraker goal then turned into offense at the other end of the field as Haas tallied her second goal of the game to make it 7-4. Hope, however, put the next four goals on the scoreboard to build an 11-4 lead. Saint Mary's worked to try to build some momentum back.
Erin Doyle converted a free position opportunity, and
Erin Dotson added a goal just a few seconds later to make it 11-6. After a Hope goal, the Belles capitalized on a player-up opportunity as Dotson found the back of the net for the second time in as many shots with 11:14 to play. Saint Mary's, however, was unable to edge any closer while the Flying Dutch added three goals over the final seven-plus minutes for the 15-7 final margin.
Katie Haas paced the Belles with two goals and an assist.
Erin Dotson added two goals, and
Gabby Belsito tallied a goal and two assists.
Erin Doyle became the first player in program history to amass 300 career points after posting a goal and an assist.
Molly Mullett chipped in a goal, an assist, and team-highs of six draw controls and three caused turnovers.
Emily Kraker tallied 12 saves in goal for the Belles.
Saint Mary's (1-1) open their home slate of contests this spring when they host Calvin on Wednesday, March 3 at 6:00 p.m.
