The Hope College men’s soccer team is predicted to challenge for an MIAA championship this fall.
The Flying Dutchmen finished second in the eight-team MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll with two first-place votes and 14 points.
Coaches could not vote for their team. Calvin University placed atop the poll with six first-place votes and eight points. Hope was followed by Trine University (18 points), Albion College (25), The University of Olivet (33), Kalamazoo College (34), Alma College (45) and Adrian College (47).
Led by head coach David Blahnik, who’s in his third season, the Flying Dutchmen are coming off an 11-4-3 season in 2023 that included a second-place 5-2 mark in MIAA play.
Hope returns two All-MIAA First Teams honorees in fifth-year senior Matt Wimmer, a two-time All-MIAA midfielder, and junior Cole Pauly, a two-time All-MIAA defender.
The Flying Dutchmen also bring back three All-MIAA Second Team selections from last season: senior midfielder Mario Hrvojevic, sophomore midfielder Josh Weigel, fifth-year senior defender Jake Lyon, and senior goalkeeper Daniel Hesselbein.
Hope kicks off the season over Labor Day weekend with two home matches at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.
The Flying Dutchmen host Lake Forest College (Ill.) on Friday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m. and LeTourneau University (Texas) on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 7 p.m.
Individual game tickets can be ordered through the Hope Ticket Office at 100 East Eighth St.: online, in person or by calling (616) 395-7890.
Comments