Hope football edged in thrilling, defensive snowy playoff showdown

In a tightly contested NCAA Division III playoff matchup, the Wisconsin-La Crosse Eagles defeated Hope College 9-7 at Ray & Sue Smith Stadium in Holland. The game, played in snowy conditions, was marked by strong defensive performances from both teams. Wisconsin-La Crosse secured the win despite a late comeback attempt by Hope, which fell short by a few yards.

Hope College, which had hosted NCAA playoff games in consecutive seasons for the first time, saw its season end with a 9-2 record. Quarterback Alex Thole connected with Skye VanderKuyl for a 4-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter, narrowing the deficit to two points. However, Hope's final drive stalled, resulting in an incomplete fourth-down pass under pressure.

The Eagles' defense was instrumental, allowing just 65 rushing yards and forcing Hope to finish 0-for-3 on fourth-down conversions. La Crosse's Gabe Lynch contributed with 93 rushing yards, while the defense, led by Tyler Sh