HOLLAND, Mich. – The Calvin women's lacrosse team fell at rival Hope College in its season opener with a score of 19-12. 

The Knights fell behind early at 2-0 but rallied back quickly and went on 5-1 run to take a 5-3 lead. The Flying Dutch answered with two quick goals to tie it up with 2:28 left in the first half.

Hope jumped out to 7-6 lead in the early minutes of the second half. Calvin countered with back-to-back goals by seniors Emma Verrett (Beaver, PA / Beaver County Christian) and Allyson Mesman (Hudsonville, MI / Hudsonville) to take an 8-7 lead.

Both teams were trading goals to keep the game close, and junior Megan Gilbert (Lansing, MI / Holt) tied the game at 10-10. The Flying Dutch started to pull away as they scored five unanswered goal to take a 15-10 lead.

Junior Breanna Otte (Grand Rapids, MI / Grand Rapids Christian) scored with 7:37 left to cut the deficit to four, but Hope scored four straight goals and held their 19-12 lead the rest of the game.

Verret finished with four goals and Gilbert finished with 3 goals and won six draw control. As a team, the Knights finished with 14 caused turnovers and won 12 draw controls.

Otte and freshman Kelly Ruha (Plymouth, MN/Robbinsville Armstrong HS) had two goals apiece. Senior Allyson Mesman (Hudsonville, Mich./Hudsonville HS) also had one goal.

The Knights were able to dress only 11 players for the game and played down a player to Hope from start-to-finish.

COACHES COMMENT: "I am proud of our fight today," said Calvin women's lacrosse head coach Blake Boehm. "It's not easy to play short-handed. Hope is a well-coached, talented team. We never gave up and I'm proud of our team's effort."

NEXT UP: Calvin will host Kalamazoo at Grand Rapids Christian on Saturday with a start time of noon.