Soccer stands high in MIAA

Both men’s and women’s soccer played last weekend to secure spots in the MIAA tournament. The women’s team shut out Saint Mary’s College at 5-0, moving within one win from repeating an outright MIAA title. The men’s team lost to Trine University, 1-0. The women’s team improved their MIAA record to 6-0-1 overall with the win, their season record at 12-1-2, earning them a first round bye in the MIAA tournament. If they win today against Alma College, they will secure the outright MIAA title.

Head coach Leigh Sears commented on the team’s mindset. “Our team goal from the beginning was to go one game at a time. Everyone wants a shot to be able to host games in the MIAA tournament.” Their win against Saint Mary’s followed an intense double overtime 1-0 win against Albion College a few days earlier. Senior Rylie Dalton scored the game winning goal with only 2:24 left, assited by senior Grace Bubin. The men suffered a tight loss to Trine, moving their MIAA ranking to 3-2-1 but still succeeding in clinching a berth in the MIAA tournament. It was the second loss of their fifteen game season, moving the season record to 12-2-1 overall.

Junior goalie Blair McCormick made four saves throughout the game, preventing Trine from gaining anything over the Flying Dutchmen. Despite Hope’s work, outshooting Trine by 11- 7, they couldn’t make it past the opposing goalie. A few days earlier, the team played Alma College, taking a 6-1 win with junior Logan Bylsma leading the team at a career high of 11 goals for the season. He is tied for third in the MIAA in goal scoring.