FREELAND, Mich. -- In a preseason poll of eight Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) women's lacrosse coaches, Hope was predicted to finish No. 1 in the conference after receiving five first-place votes.

Hope earned 44 points to claim the top spot in the preseason poll.  Saint Mary's tallied 39 points, including two first-place votes, for second place.  Albion was predicted to finish third after recording 38 points and the final first-place vote, followed by Calvin in fourth place with 33 points.  Kalamazoo (25 points) edged Trine (24 points) by one point for fifth place.  Adrian (14 points) and Alma (7 points) round out the preseason poll in seventh and eighth, respectively.

Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.

Hope concluded the 2021 campaign with an overall record of 11-3, including a 3-2 mark in league contests.  The Flying Dutch will look to a trio of seniors as leaders during the 2022 season.  Midfielder Madison Micho earned Second Team All-MIAA honors in 2021 after finishing fifth in the league with a .583 shooting percentage.  Hope will also feature senior attackers Sophie Ackerman and Madison McCreery.

Saint Mary's (13-5 overall, 6-1 MIAA) shared the 2021 MIAA title with Calvin, prior to winning the 2021 MIAA Women's Lacrosse Tournament.  The Belles' roster will be headlined by junior Erin Dotson (M), who received 2021 First Team All-MIAA honors.  Dotson concluded 2021 with 54 points, 77 shots on goal, 15 assists, 39 ground balls, and 39 goals.  A trio of 2021 Second Team All-MIAA seniors will also return for Saint Mary's, including attacker Gabby Belsito (A), defender Sarah Frick, and two-time All-MIAA midfielder Bridget Kane.

Albion closed out 2021 with a 10-5 overall record and a 4-2 dent in MIAA contests.  The Briton roster will feature fourth-year midfielder Chrystelle Lopez, who became a two-time All-MIAA honoree last season after claiming First Team honors.  Lopez closed out the 2021 campaign as the league leader in assists with 33.  She also finished second with 94 points and third in goals (61), shots on goal (98), ground balls (49), and caused turnovers (34).  Seniors Abby Sheklow (A), Alexis Robinson (GK), and two-time All-MIAA player Destiny Okon (M) all return after earning 2021 Second Team All-MIAA accolades.

The first contest between MIAA teams is slated for Wednesday, April 6, with Calvin hosting Alma.  On Saturday, April 9, Trine will host Calvin and Adrian will host Kalamazoo.

The 2022 MIAA Women's Lacrosse Tournament will begin with the semifinals on Wednesday, May 4, followed by the championship contest on Saturday, May 7.  The winner will receive an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Championship.