GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Calvin used a red-hot first half to hand rival Hope its first defeat of the season while stretching its own win streak to three games Wednesday night at Zuidema Field.

Calvin scored the first five goals of the game, forcing the Flying Dutch (6-1 overall, 0-1 MIAA) to call a timeout. Hope came back with a pair of goals but Calvin came back with two goals from junior Megan Gilbert (Lansing, Mich./Holt HS) to take an 8-2 lead with 10 seconds left in the half. Hope won the ensuing draw control, won a free position attempt and scored the final horn to give Calvin an 8-3 lead at the break.

The two sides traded goals in the opening five minutes of the second half with Gilbert and senior Emma Verrett (Beaver, Pa./Beaver County Christian HS) scoring for the Knights.

Hope crept to within three goals twice at 11-8 and 12-9 but Calvin junior Brenna Otte (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) came up with back-to-back goals to give Calvin the cushion it needed. Otte converted a free position shot with 4:54 remaining to put Calvin up 13-9 and then whipped in a low whistler from a sharp angle with 3:46 remaining to give the Knights a 14-9 lead.

Hope scored with 2:40 remaining and then again with 1:16 left but did not find the back of the net again.

Senior Megan Economou (Hartland, Mich./Hartland HS) got the start in goal and came up with 11 big saves to go with five ground balls.

Gilbert and Otte had four goals apiece. Gilbert was credited with five draw controls. Senior Allyson Mesman (Hudsonville, Mich./Hudsonville HS) had three goals, an asssist and two draw controls.

Verrett had two goals, an assist five draw controls, four ground balls and caused five turnovers.

Freshman Kelly Ruha (Plymouth, Mn./Robbinsville Armstrong HS) had a goal and an assist.

COACHES COMMENT: "I have to credit my captains for getting our team ready to play," said Calvin head women's lacrosse coach Blake Boehm. "Their leadership before the game was big and I knew we would play with vigor. I also have to credit the rest of our team for stepping up and filling roles wherever they were needed. We continue to have players step up and fill gaps."

NEXT UP: Calvin will travel to Kalamazoo on Saturday night for a 7 p.m. conference contest.