ALBION, Mich. – Albion College defeated Hope College, 16-8, to clinch a share of the program's first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship, but the Britons will celebrate the accomplishment later.

"It doesn't feel like (we won the league championship) because we want to finish the season with one goal in mind – to improve every day," Head Coach Shanta Loecker said after the Britons improved to 7-0 against MIAA rivals. "There are two more days left in the regular season and we want to get better each of those days."

Albion completes the regular season with a Thursday afternoon contest at Trine University.

Albion has also clinched the No. 1 seed for the MIAA Tournament. The Britons will host a semifinal game against the No. 4 seed next Thursday, May 5.

Cait Gaitley and Ariella Ruiz produced two goals apiece and Alex Radzville added a goal and assist as Albion scored five times in eight minutes to build a 6-2 lead. Gaitley tacked on two more goals late in the first half as Albion extended the margin to 9-3 at halftime.

Loecker said the Britons pulled away by sticking to the game plan.

"The plan showed itself over the course of the game," Loecker said.

While Gaitley, Ruiz and Julie Wood combined for 13 goals, Loecker anointed Radzville and Shannon Kahl as stars of the game.

"Shannon does the invisible work, connecting every transition," Loecker said. "Alex (who is also a letterwinner as a forward on the women's soccer team) has learned the game so fast. She plays from her gut. She's very instinctive."

Ruiz and Alyssa Brooks harassed Hope's athletes the entire length and width of the field as the Flying Dutch finished with 31 turnovers. Goalkeeper Victoria Della Pia collected seven saves.

"Our defense makes the difference," Loecker said, noting the Britons haven't surrendered more than nine goals to a league rival this season.