Box Score ALBION, Mich. – The final line read Hope College defeated Albion College, 5-1. What the result doesn't show, however, is how the Albion side, without a senior on the roster, played without fear of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association leaders.
"Hope is the best team in the league, and if you don't come out with your absolute best, that's what happens," Albion Coach Eric Scott said. "I want to make it clear that we didn't quit. We ran into a good team and we were not at our best.
"We're not going to sit back and be afraid," Scott added. "I thought the effort throughout the game was high. We just couldn't get the game underneath us. We just couldn't connect three passes in a row."
Despite trailing 2-0 at halftime, Albion got the Hope side's attention by how it came out to start the second half. It appeared to many in attendance that Domenique Sarnecky scored when the ball ricocheted off the crossbar. The ball somehow went over the goal.
Molly Hancock streaked down the field to score Albion's goal – her fourth of the season – in the 51st minute.
"We made an adjustment in the middle of the field," Scott said. "Hope doesn't change its system. It sprung us a couple of times. I thought we had one more scoring chance after Molly's goal, but that was it."
Allie Wittenbach, a substitute, scored two goals for Hope. Erin Jippng and Elizabeth Perkins each produced a goal and an assist.
Scott said he hopes the Britons will quickly turn their attention to their Saturday contest at Alma College.
