MIAA Recognizes Three Players (11/12/09)
Three Hope women's soccer players have been awarded all-conference honors by the MIAA.

Named to the All-MIAA team were freshman Tricia Bajema of Grandville (Grandville HS), junior Courtney Cook of Grand Rapids (Forest Hills Central HS), and junior Kelsey Bos of Holland (Holland HS).

The Flying Dutch, coached by Leigh Sears, tied for fifth (4-3-1) in the MIAA standings and were 8-9-1 overall.

Season Ends With Tournament Loss (10/31/09)
Box Score
An early goal stood the test of the game Saturday as Kalamazoo edged the Flying Dutch 1-0 in a first round game of the NCAA qualifying conference tournament. The host Hornets scored in the first four minutes of the game. During the regular season Kalamazoo edged Hope 1-0 in double overtime. Coach Leigh Sears' Dutch end the season with an 8-9-1 record. Hope tied for fifth place in the MIAA standings with a 4-3-1 mark in league games.

Flying Dutch Bow to Rival Calvin (10/28/09)
Box Score
Host Calvin clinched a fifth consecutive MIAA championship at the expense of the Flying Dutch Wednesday. The 2-0 loss also cut Hope any opportunity to host an MIAA tournament game when its begins on Saturday. Instead, #5 seeded Hope will travel to #4 seeded Kalamazoo for a first round game.

The teams played through a scoreless first half. Calvin scored the go-ahead goal two minutes into the second half and added another in the 66th minute. Calvin held a 24-3 shot advantage.

Flying Dutch Move Above .500 Mark on Season (10/24/09)
Box Score
Photo Gallery - Kick for a Cure
Freshman Alyson Epolito scored the game's only goal one minute into the second half to move the Flying Dutch above the .500 mark. With a pair of conference victories this week, coach Leigh Sears' Dutch are 8-7-1 overall and 4-2-1 in the MIAA heading into the final week of the regular season. Albion out-shot Hope 18-8, but Dutch goalkeeper Kelsey Bos was credited with six saves as the Flying Dutch record their fifth shutout in the last nine games.

Victory Puts Flying Dutch at .500 (10/20/09)
Box Score
The Flying Dutch evened their season record (7-7-1) and moved into a three-way tie for fourth place in the MIAA standings (3-2-1) by topping host Saint Mary's 4-2 on Tuesday. The four goals equaled a season-high for coach Leigh Sears' Flying Dutch. Hope led 2-0 at halftime and owned a 3-0 lead before the Belles got on the scoreboard. Freshman Alexis Prins scored two goals, her first as a collegian. Also scoring for Hope were Tricia Bajema (#8) and Lindsay Jipping (#4). Hope held an 18-13 advantage in shots. Goalkeeper Kelsey Bos was credited with five saves.

Soccer Extravaganza Celebrates New Stadium (10/17/09)
Box Score
Soccer fans came to Hope's new Van Andel Soccer Stadium in droves Saturday to celebrate a new community sports landmark. Several hundred young soccer players scurried about the playing surface throughout the day participating in scrimmages and enjoying workshops led by guest professional players. A record crowd for a home women's soccer game saw the Flying Dutch post their first Van Andel field victory, a 3-0 shutout of Trine. The dedication ceremony was highlighted by an appreciative recognition of lead donors Carol and David Van Andel. An estimated 2,000 hotdogs were devoured at a community picnic. A standing-room-only record crowd of more than 1,500 fans watched a classic Hope/Kalamazoo men's soccer game that ended in a scoreless, double-overtime tie. And the celebration ended with a spectacular fireworks show over the Buys Athletic Fields complex.

Last-Minute Goal Defeats Flying Dutch (10/14/09)
Box Score
For 109 minutes Hope and Kalamazoo were locked in a scoreless battle. That changed with just 53 seconds remaining in the second overtime as the visiting Hornets gained a 1-0 victory over coach Leigh Sears' Dutch. The loss drops Hope to 1-2-1 in the MIAA and 5-7-1 overall. The Flying Dutch are still seeking their first win at Van Andel Stadium. Kalamazoo held a 21-7 advantage in shots.

Flying Dutch Record First MIAA Win (10/10/09)
Box Score
Scoring a goal in each half, the Flying Dutch posted their first MIAA win of the season Saturday blanking host Olivet 2-0. Coach Leigh Sears' Dutch are 1-1-1 in MIAA matches and 5-6-1 overall. Scoring goals were Kristen Schwenk and Tricia Bajema. Goalkeeper Kelsey Bos received credit for the shutout with nine saves.

Adrian Spoils Van Andel Stadium Debut (10/6/09)
Box Score
Photo Gallery of First Van Andel Game
In a game played in torrential rain buffeted by winds that reached 40 miles per hour in the second half, visiting Adrian spoiled the Flying Dutch debut at the new Van Andel Soccer Stadium on Tuesday 2-1.

The Bulldogs scored early (2nd minute) and late (84th minute) while limiting the Flying Dutch to a first half goal by sophomore Danielle Petzak, assisted by freshman Lindsay Jipping. Adrian held an 11-8 advantage in shots. Hope goalkeeper Kelsey Bos was credited with six saves.

Coach Leigh Sears' are 4-6-1 on the season, including 0-1-1 in the MIAA.

Flying Dutch Bow to Nationally Ranked Thunder (10/3/09)
Box Score
The Flying Dutch were defeated by nationally ranked Wheaton 2-0 in a Saturday night game in Illinois. The winning Thunder, #4 in NCAA Division III, held a 36-6 advantage in shots and 13-1 edge in corner kicks. Coach Leigh Sears' Dutch slipped to 4-5-1 on the season.

Flying Dutch Battle Alma to Scoreless Tie (9/30/09)
Box Score
The Flying Dutch opened conference play by battling Alma to 110-minute, double overtime scoreless tie on Wednesday. Coach Leigh Sears' Dutch stand 4-4-1 on the season. The host Scots out-shot Hope 19-11, including 5-0 in the overtimes. Hope goalkeeper Kelsey Bos was credited with 10 saves.

Flying Dutch Back on Winning Track (9/26/09)
Box
The Flying Dutch got back on the winning track by blanking host Rochester 4-0 on Saturday. Coach Leigh Sears' Dutch stand 4-4 heading into the start of conference play next week. Hope totally dominated play out-shooting Rochester 31-0. Lauren Miller scored two first half goals while scoring one each after intermission were Lindsay Jipping and Katie Lovinger. Goalkeeper Megan Altieri received credit for the shutout.

Flying Dutch Suffer Fourth Straight Defeat (9/23/09)
Box
The Flying Dutch suffered their fourth straight loss Wednesday bowing to host Aquinas 6-2. The defeat puts coach Leigh Sears' Dutch at 3-4 on the season. Hope scored a goal in each half, first by Alyson Epolito and the second by Bethany Kicz. Aquinas held a 21-10 advantage in shots.

Flying Dutch Lose Twice in Ohio (9/19/09)
Ohio Wesleyan 2, Hope 0
Ohio Northern 5, Hope 1
The Flying Dutch suffered a pair of losses in Ohio this weekend, bowing to Ohio Wesleyan 2-0 on Friday and to Ohio Northern 5-1 on Saturday. The Flying Dutch have a 3-3 season record.

Hope teams Suffer First Losses of Season (9/12/09)
Men's Box / Women's Box
Both Hope soccer teams suffered their first defeat of the season and were victims of shutouts on their home field Saturday. The Flying Dutch were blanked by nationally ranked Denison 4-0 while the Flying Dutchmen were edged by perennial power Wheaton 1-0. Both Hope teams are 3-1 on the season.

Both Hope Teams Win to Remain Unbeaten
Flying Dutchmen 3, Kenyon 0
Flying Dutch 3, Kenyon 1
Both Hope soccer teams remained undefeated by posting home field victories on Friday over Kenyon, Ohio.

Flying Dutch -- Freshmen scored all of Hope's goals as the Flying Dutch improved to 3-0. Alyson Epolito (East Lansing) scored the first of her collegiate career while Tricia Bajema (Grandville) scored twice to raise her season total to five. Assists were credited to junior Lauren Miller (San Diego, Calif.), freshman Lindsay Jipping (Jenison), and freshman Rachel Doud (Rockford). Goalkeeper Kelsey Bos (Holland) was credited with seven saves as Hope held an 18-16 advantage in shots. The Flying Dutch will be back in action Saturday hosting Denison, Ohio.

Flying Dutchmen -- The Flying Dutchmen won their third consecutive game by shutout on the first day of the Bergsma Memorial Tournament. In the tournament's other game Calvin edged Wheaton 2-1. Hope will host Wheaton on Saturday. Three players scored their first goal of the season -- senior John Herbert (Culver, Ind.), sophomore Mitch Kinner (Kalamazoo), and senior Ben Rosema (Spring Lake). Each team had eight shots. Hope goalkeepers Logan Neil (Holland) and Andrew Goorhouse (Caledonia) split time in the net.

Soccer Teams Sweep Opponents (9/5/09)
Hope soccer fans were treated to an abundance of playing excellence this weekend as both the Flying Dutch and Flying Dutchmen posted a pair of home victories. The Flying Dutchmen posted a pair of shutout victories blanking Goshen, Ind. 3-0 and regionally ranked Wilmington 2-0. The Flying Dutch topped UM-Dearborn 8-0 and edged Elmhurst, Ill. 4-3.
WOMEN'S SUMMARY
Flying Dutch 8, UM-Dearborn 0 -- Sophomore Danielle Petzak scored four goals in the game's first 18 minutes to match the Hope single-game scoring record, but it won't go into the recordbook because women's soccer at UM-Dearborn is a club sport. Lauren Miller scored two goals while adding one apiece were freshmen Lindsey Jipping and Tricia Bajema. Hope outshot UM-Dearborn 40-2 with goalkeepers Kelsey Bos and Megan Alteiri sharing the shutout.
Flying Dutch 4, Elmhurst 3 -- Freshman Tricia Bajema figured into all of Hope's goals as she scored three and assisted on the fourth. She scored the game-winner with three minutes left in the game off a corner kick from Rachel Doud. Hope held an 18-16 edge in shots on goal. Goalkeeper Kelsey Bos was credited with 10 saves. box

MEN'S SUMMARY
Flying Dutchmen 3, Goshen 0 -- Two of Hope's three goals came on penalty kicks as the teams engaged in a defensive battle. Hope had just five shots at goal while Goshen had none. Scoring on penalty kicks were Justin Bailey and Saab Schiebert. The goal was scored by David Whitaker. Hope goalkeepers Logan Neil and Andrew Goorhouse shared the shutout. box
Flying Dutchmen 2, Wilmington 0 -- The Flying Dutchmen scored a goal in each half while goalkeepers Andrew Goorhouse and Logan Neil split time in gaining their second straight shutout. Sophomore David Whitaker scored in the first half and then assisted on Saab Schwiebert's second half goal. box

Flying Dutch Open Season With Win (9/1/09)
Box Score
The Flying Dutch launched Hope's fall season of intercollegiate play by edging host Cornerstone 2-1 on Tuesday.

Winning their season opener for the first time since 2005, coach Leigh Sears' Dutch scored a goal in each half despite being out-shot by the host Golden Eagles 11-6.

Hope gained a 2-0 advantage on goals by junior Bethany Kicz (Ada) and freshman Lindsay Jipping (Jenison). Assists were credited to freshman Rachel Doud (Rockford) and sophomore Nikki Franzese (Naperville, Ill.).

Goalkeeper Kelsey Bos was credited with five saves. Cornerstone's goal came in the final three minutes of the game.

At some point in their season, coach Leigh Sear’s Flying Dutch will begin playing in the new $4 million Van Andel Soccer Stadium which is destined to become one of Division III’s premier pitches. The stadium will feature seating for 1,500 fans who will watch games played on artificial turf. The stadium is equipped with lights for night games and amenities such as lockerrooms for Hope’s teams, a pressbox and concession stand. The official stadium dedication is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17.

As a prelude to the season, the Flying Dutch travelled to Scotand the first week in August for training, competition and service. It was the second European trip for the Flying Dutch. In 2005 the team came back to claim a co-championship in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).

Coach Leigh Sears will build the team around 17 letterwinners from a team that finished third in the MIAA last fall and posted an overall 13-6-0 record.

Coach Sears begins her ninth season at the helm of Hope women’s soccer. Over eight seasons she has guided the Flying Dutch to two conference championships while posting an 87-58-9 overall record.

Co-captains of the team will be senior Kirsten Kaufmann of Clio (Flint Powers Catholic HS), junior Kara Marsman of Holland (Holland Christian HS), and junior Kristen Schwenk of Midland (H.H. Dow HS). Kaufmann is the only senior on the pre-season roster.

Junior defender Courtney Cook of Grand Rapids (Forest Hills Central HS) is a two-time All-MIAA first team honoree. Kristen Schwenk, a midfielder, received All-MIAA second team honors last fall.

Two returning sophomore players, Nikki Franzese of Naperville, Ill. (Naperville HS) and Elizabeth Hamber of Palatine, Ill. (Palatine HS), received MIAA player of the week honors as freshmen.

Other returning letterwinners include junior Emily Baracy of Fenton (Fenton HS), junior Kirsten Bonzelaar of Holland (Holland Christian HS), junior Kelsey Bos of Holland (Holland HS), junior Mallory Fox of Livonia (Livonia Stevenson HS), sophomore Lana Gentry of Traverse City (Traverse City Central HS), junior Bethany Kicz of Ada (Forest Hills Central HS), junior Katie Lovinger of Hillsdale (Hillsdale HS), sophomore Jessica Malkin of Bay City (Bay City Western HS), junior Lauren Miller of San Diego, Calif (University City HS), sophomore Danielle Petzak of Zeeland (Zeeland West HS), and sophomore Heather Reece of Hoosick Falls, N.Y. (Hoosick Fal;l Central HS).

Construction is underway on a new stadium to serve the Hope soccer program and Holland-area sports and recreation community.

The Van Andel Soccer stadium is located on the site of the college's existing soccer fields along Fairbanks Ave. near 11th Street. It has been designed to compliment the college's nearby Wolters softball and Boeve baseball stadiums and De Vos Fieldhouse which have all opened over the past four years.

The stadium will accommodate an estimated 1,400 fans in stadium-style and bleacher seating. There will be accompanying terrace areas for picnicking and tailgating. There will be a concession stand, public restrooms, a first aid/training room, two full locker rooms for Hope's teams, a meeting room for visiting teams, a ticket booth and a press box. The field surface will be of artificial turf and there will be stadium lighting for night contests.

The project is scheduled for completion in time for a dedication tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17 when both Hope soccer teams have a home game.

Hope Sophomore Named to All-Region Team (12/10/08)
All-Region Team / Hope's All-Region Honorees
Hope sophomore defender Courtney Cook of Grand Rapids (Forest Hills Central) has received Division III Great Lakes All-Region honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. The two-time All-MIAA honoree was named to the All-Region third team. The All-Region team honors players from NCAA Division III colleges in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. She is one of three players being honored from the MIAA. The Flying Dutch posted a 13-6 record this fall, finishing third in the MIAA standings.

Allison Van Beek Tops All-MIAA Soccer Honorees (11/12/08)
Four members of the Hope College women's soccer team have received all-conference honors from the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), including the league's top honor.

Senior midfielder Allison Van Beek of Libertyville, Ill. (Libertyville HS) has been named the MIAA's most valuable player by conference coaches.

She is joined on the All-MIAA first team by sophomore defender Courtney Cook of Grand Rapids, Mich. (Forest Hills Central HS). Van Beek is being honored on the first team for the third consecutive year while Cook is being recognized for the second time.

Hope players named to the All-MIAA second team are sophomore midfielder Kristen Schwenk of Midland, Mich. (Dow HS) and senior forward Sarah Sosolik of Oswego, Ill. (Oswego HS).

Van Beek led Hope in scoring this fall with 12 goals and two assists. Over her four-year career she scored 31 goals and had 16 assists.

She is the third Hope player to receive MIAA MVP honors joining Tina Gill (1996) and Dawn Gillam (2004).