Hope College fall sports in full swing

SWEET VICTORY — Alex Lindsey (’17) smiles back at the sideline during Hope’s 3-1 victory over Grace Bible. (Photo: Hope.edu)

BUMP, SET, SPIKE — Hope Volleyball looks to get back to the top of the MIAA, lead by (left to right) Sarah Feldpausch (’17), Sophie Hackett (’18), and Alexis Thompson (’17). (Photo: Hope.edu)

ALL SMILES — Hope women’s soccer captains pictured left to right: Elizabeth Perkins (’17), Kendall Dice(’18), Natalie Curry (’17), Jennifer Thelen (’18). (Photo: Hope.edu)

ON THE RISE — Hope football improves in week two, but still falls to Defiance. Pictured: RB Brandan Campbell (’18). (Photo: Hope.edu)

Men’s and women’s soccer, football, volleyball, cross-country seasons underway

Men’s Soccer 2-3 (0-0)
The Men’s soccer team improved their record to 2-3 this past week with wins over Grace Bible College and Benedictine University (Ill.) and a tough loss to a good Aurora College squad.

On Wednesday, Hope dominated the pace of play, controlling the ball for most of the game, as well as outshooting the Tigers 30 (14 on goal) to 6 (1 on goal). Grace Bible got on the board first, but Hope bounced back with three unanswered goals from Devon Butler (’18), Ben Hagman (’19), and David White (’18) en route to a 3-1 victory.

On Friday, Hope’s second game this past week featured a matchup with Aurora in the Cal Bergsma Memorial Tournament. After a slow start, allowing the first two goals of the game, Sam Mason (’19) got the Flying Dutchmen on the board to cut the lead in half and get Hope back in the game. However, it was not enough as Aurora scored two more goals in the second half to roll to a 4-2 victory. Also scoring for Hope was Alex Lindsey (’17).

On Saturday, Hope bounced back after their tough loss Friday with a thrilling overtime victory over Benedictine (Ill.). Holden Dippel (’20) got the party started with a goal late in the first half, and it almost secured the victory for Hope if not for a late strike from Benedictine in the 84th minute that sent the game into overtime. Sophomore Christian Dault (’19) was the hero in OT heading in a beautiful free kick from James Reymann (’19) to give Hope a 2-1 win.

Hope is back in action this Saturday with a huge matchup at home with Calvin College.

Women’s Soccer 3-1-1 (2-0-1)
The women’s soccer team started off MIAA competition this past week, and started it off right with two wins against Adrian College and Trine University and a tie with Kalamazoo College.

On Tuesday, The Flying Dutch competed hard in their MIAA opener at Kalamazoo. A game that went into two overtimes before being declared a 1-1 tie. Elizabeth Perkins (’17) netted the loan goal for Hope.

On Saturday, Hope bounced back from the tie on Tuesday with a 3-1 domination of Adrian. Allie Wittenbach (’18) got the Dutch off to a hot start scoring the first two goals of the game. Adrian answered quickly, but it was not enough as Perkins connected late in the first half to conclude the scoring.

Monday- Hope continued their winning ways in their home opener with a 2-1 victory over Trine. Once again Wittenbach got the Dutch on the board first, putting home two beautiful crosses from Erin Brophy (’18). Trine tried to mount a comeback, but Hope’s defense shut them down allowing just one shot on goal the entire contest.

Hope is back in action this week with a home game vs. Albion Thursday, followed by a trip down to Olivet College on Saturday before returning home on Tuesday to face Alma College.

Volleyball 6-0 (2-0)
Hope Volleyball is rolling to start the season and it was no different this past week as the Flying Dutch improved to 6-0 with victories over MIAA foes Alma (3-1) and Olivet (3-0).

On Wednesday, The Dutch took care of Alma easily in their MIAA and home opener, taking three of four sets. After Hope took the first set 25-16, Alma responded by taking set two 23-25. However, Hope was just too much for the Scots as they closed out the win 25-12 and 25-20 in the next two sets. Leading scorers for the Dutch included Katie Rietberg (’19) with 10 kills, Sophie Hackett (’18) with 38 assists and Alexis Thompson (’17) with 18 digs.

On Saturday, Hope put their undefeated record on the line once again against MIAA opponent Olivet. The Comets didn’t put up much of a fight as the Dutch swept them 25-20, 25-20 and 25-18.

Leading the way for Hope once again were Rietberg with 11 kills, Hackett with 43 assists and Thompson with 13 digs.

Hope is back in action this week with a home match on Wednesday against Albion and then hit the road for a weekend invitational at DePauw University.

Football 0-2 (0-0)
On Saturday, new coach Peter Stuursma and Hope Football make improvements, but still fell at Defiance. The Dutchmen defense toughened up this week, allowing just 18 points lead by linebackers Aaron O’Meara (’17) and Jacob Pardonnet (’18) each recording 7 tackles. However, the offense could not take advantage putting up just six points of their own.

There was a new face under center for the Dutchmen in Bruce Schroeder (’20). Schroeder showed promise completing 17 of 28 passes for 168 yards and rushing for a touchdown, but failed to reach the end zone through the air.

Running back Brandan Campbell (’18) also looked good rushing for 64 yards on 12 carries. Look for Hope to put it all together this coming week when they head down to Chicago to face Concordia University (Ill.) and hopefully come home with a win.

Cross-Country
Hope cross-country season is also underway, and after a men’s and women’s 1st place finish at the Vanderbilt Invitational, Hope runners looked to have another strong showing at Ferris State University this past Saturday. The men finished 4th and the women came home with yet another 1st place finish to start the season.

Leading the way for the men was Jacob Jansen (’18) who finished in 27:44. Erin Herrman (’18) finished first overall in the women’s race posting a time of 18:25. Both men’s and women’s teams will be back in action Sep. 24 when they travel to Alma for the MIAA Jamboree.