By Mark DeHaan

Calvin women's lacrosse clinched a share of the MIAA regular season title on Thursday, defeating Hope College 19-7 to continue its undefeated conference campaign.

The Knights also honored their six seniors: Delaney Callahan (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS), Epiphany Donat (Saline/Washtenaw Christian Academy), Erin Leegwater (Jenison/Unity Christian HS), Paige Noordyke, Karissa Reed, and Lindsey Ryskamp (Caledonia/Caledonia HS).

The Knights opened up the game as the more urgent team, netting the first four goals of the contest, three from Reed, before Hope got on the board.

Another scoring run from Calvin, this time seven straight goals, saw the Knights lead grow to double digits at 11-1 with 9:52 remaining in the first half.

Hope ended the run with a goal less than two minutes later, but two Calvin goals in the remaining time put the Knights ahead 13-2 at the break.

Calvin outshot the Flying Dutch 25-6 in the opening half, also forcing the visitors into 15 turnovers. In the opening period, the Knights were 5-for-6 on clear attempts while Hope was 1-for-4.

Calvin's dominance continued into the second half. Freshman Amanda Davio (Okemos/Okemos HS) opened up the second period scoring less than two minutes in.

After a Hope College response, goals from Reed (Greenville/Greenville HS), Davio, and Noordyke (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) saw Calvin's lead increase to its largest of the game at 17-3 with 18:13 to go.

The Knights then cruised to a 19-7 final score, defeating their rivals while staying undefeated in league play. With one game to go, the victory gives Calvin at least a share of the regular season conference championship and the top seed for the upcoming MIAA Tournament.

The Knights outplayed Hope in nearly every facet of the game. Calvin held a 34-15 shots advantage, 20-8 draw control advantage, and a 34-27 ground ball advantage by the end of the game. The Knights completed 8-of-10 clear attempts while the Flying Dutch were 5-of-9.

Individually, Reed led the Knights with six goals and one assist, also picking up five ground balls. Davio contributed four goals, three assist, and six ground balls, while sophomore Emily Cefaratti (Hinsdale, IL/Hinsdale Central HS) added four goals, two assists, and three ground balls. Noordyke scored three goals on three shots.

In goal, junior Corry Remy (Zeeland/Zeeland East HS) made six saves to earn the win.

"It's not hard to get hyped for the Calvin-Hope game, it's just a matter of channeling that energy and directing it appropriately, otherwise you'll come out flustered," said head coach Blake Boehm. "Our seniors have been a foundation of leadership and maturity. They bring a maturity to this team and a focus and a leadership that only comes with age."

Calvin improves to 10-5 overall and 7-0 in the MIAA, also increasing its win streak to eight, while Hope falls to 6-7 overall and 5-2 in league play.

The Knights will wrap up their conference schedule on Saturday at Adrian. Calvin, with a win, will claim the outright MIAA title.

"The MIAA regular season title has been the goal all along as well as to play for the NCAA Tournament automatic qualifier," said Boehm. "It feels really good to be this close, but we have to stay focused and get through Saturday."

The Knights and Bulldogs are scheduled to face-off at 1:00 p.m.