HOLLAND, Mich. - In the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association's preseason coaches' poll, there were three teams selected to finish ahead of the Adrian women's soccer team. After Thursday evening's result at the Van Andel Soccer Stadium, the Bulldogs have now defeated two of those teams.

The black and gold rallied off three unanswered goals in the second half en route to a 5-3 victory over regionally-ranked Hope, therefore reclaiming the second seed in the conference standings.

The girls deserve a ton of credit for getting themselves focused and ready under challenging circumstances," said head coach Ali Alamdari. "After the original postponement on Saturday, they've been training well and had less than 24 hours' notice before the bus pulled in for tonight's match."

After a slow start to match from both sides, the action picked up for the visitors in the 18th minute.

A throw-in deep in the Dutchmen defensive end was picked up at the corner of the penalty box by McKenna Mahoney, who proceeded to dribble towards the corner flag before cutting back in and sending a low-lining cross. The pass was deflected down by Megan Louwers straight to the foot of Eve Davis who went top shelf for the game's first goal.

Then, in the 33rd minute, a defensive clearance by Adrian was knocked down by Mahoney just inside the midfield line. The senior managed to escape a pair of Hope defenders and outrace a third before driving a shot from around 30 yards out to beat the Dutchmen keeper on her right side and double the Bulldogs' lead.

The hosts did not go away quietly however, rattling off a deficit slicer in the 50th minute, and then an equalizer just four minutes later.

Adrian kept its composure, nevertheless, finding the go-ahead goal soon after.

A battle for the ball on the far side of the field was eventually won by the Bulldogs and played into the attacking zone where it was claimed by Davis. Storming ahead with Alexandria Dryps on her left-hand side, Davis managed to slip a perfect pass to the senior who outhustled her defender and placed a shot under the outreached arm of the keeper.

The locals would go on to add two more goals over the next 12 minutes, including a tic-tac-toe connection from Dryps to Mahoney to Kaitlyn Dake for her fifth goal of the season, and a beautifully placed top-corner dagger from Mahoney, moving her into a two-way tie for the conference lead in goals scored with 14.

All told, Adrian finished with 11 shots, including seven on goal.

Taylor Fischer turned in a six-save performance for the Bulldogs, who improve to 10-6 overall and 5-1 in conference-play.

"To get three points on the road at a top side like Hope is always a difficult task," added Alamdari. "But we've got another massive test on Saturday at Calvin waiting for us, so there's no time for rest."

The 'Dogs and the Knights was square off in Grand Rapids at 7 p.m. on Saturday evening, marking an end to Adrian's road schedule for 2021.