Four Hope College student-athletes have been selected for weekly honors from the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) in their respective sports — women’s soccer’s Maria DeShaw, football’s Evan Finch, men’s soccer’s Jason Muller and men’s cross country’s Sam Pederson.
DeShaw, a junior from Holland (West Ottawa HS), is the MIAA Defensive Player of the Week in women’s soccer. She anchored a Hope defense that allowed only two goals in jumping off to a 3-0 start in MIAA play. She helped contain reigning MIAA Most Valuable Player Erin Weide of Adrian, limiting her to two shots, and assisted on the game's first goal in a 2-1 road win. Hope also shut out Trine 4-0.
DeShaw is being honored as Player of the Week for the first time this season.
Finch, a senior from Ann Arbor (Pioneer HS), is the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week in football. He booted field goals of 28 and 24 yards and added five extra points in Hope’s 41-7 victory vs. Millikin (Ill.). He has made eight consecutive field goals since the start of last season.
Finch is being honored as Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
Muller, a senior from Petoskey (Petoskey HS), is the MIAA Offensive Player of the Week in men’s soccer. He scored three goals in leading the Flying Dutchmen to a pair of nonconference victories. He had one goal in a 6-0 win over Grace Bible, then scored twice in the second half as Hope defeated national power Dominican, Ill., 3-0.
Muller is being honored as Player of the Week for the second time in his career.
Pederson, a senior from Mt. Prospect, Ill. (Prospect HS), is the MIAA Runner of the Week in men’s cross country. He finished ninth overall at the Calvin College Knight Invitational hosted by Calvin with a time of 25:32 over the 8-kilometer course.
Pederson is being honored as MIAA Runner of the Week for the first time in his career.