ALBION, Mich. – The Albion College women's lacrosse team was defeated by Hope College, 18-12, at Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium Saturday, but Albion Coach Shanta Loecker was pleased with how her team communicated during the contest.

"We spent all week focusing on two things – communication and competition," Loecker said. "The communication piece was there. Every person on the field was giving 100 percent effort. There were a lot of moments when our players kept their teammates in a positive frame of mind."

Albion dominated possession in the first half as Ashley Glenn scored three times to boost the Britons to a 4-2 lead.

Maddie Ferguson scored two goals and Heather Wierenga tallied a goal and an assist as Hope surged to a 7-4 lead with 8 ½ minutes left in the first half. Albion got a goal back in the final minute of the first half as Julie Wood scored.

Hope controlled possession in the second half and it scored five times in five minutes to extend the margin to 12-5. Ferguson scored three of her nine goals during the run.

Albion trailed 18-9 with two minutes remaining in the contest, but it kept playing hard to the end of the contest. Glenn, Kadie Koolwick, and Mackenzie Novak scored late goals for the Britons.

Glenn finished with seven goals to bring her season total to 54.

Albion's final regular season home match is Wednesday night at 7 when it challenges Alma College.