The Hope College women's soccer team kicks off the 2015 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association with a semifinal match tonight at 6 p.m. against Kalamazoo at van Andel Soccer Stadium. The winner advances to play top-seeded Calvin or fourth-seeded Olivet in Saturday's title match.
The Flying Dutch (15-2-3 overall) are seeded second for this year's tournament after posting a regular-season league record of 12-1-3. The three ties were the most in MIAA play for the team since a 6-2-4 record in 1993.
Hope is 11-11 in MIAA Tournament matches. The Flying Dutch are seeking to advance to their fourth consecutive championship match and fifth overall. Kalamazoo is 12-8 in MIAA Tournament history. The Hornets are pursuing their fifth appearance in the title game.
Hope owns a 21-24-5 record all-time against Kalamazoo, including a 2-3 mark in MIAA Tournament play. The two teams have met in postseason play in the 2014 final, 1998 semifinals, 2009, 2008 and 1999 first round.
The Flying Dutch won a shootout against Kalamazoo in last season's tournament finale at Van Andel Soccer Stadium. Hope outscored the Hornets 5-4 in penalty kicks. Tymi Staub scored on the final attempt to send the Flying Dutch to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Hope split with third-seeded Kalamazoo (9-8-2, 9-5-2 MIAA) during the 2015 regular season.
On September 9, the Flying Dutch opened MIAA play with a 3-1 victory on a rain-soaked night at Van Andel Soccer Stadium. After a scoreless first half, the two teams combined for three goals in an 11-minute span. Hope grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 61st minute on an unassisted goal from junior midfielder Natalie Curry of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Grandville Calvin Christian HS). Kalamazoo evened the score at 1-1 four minutes later on Raechel Schmidt's first goal of the season. Sophomore Erin Brophy of West Lafeyette, Indiana (West Lafeyette HS), broke a 1-1 tie in the 72nd minute with a right-footed blast from 25 yards out. Hope closed the scoring with 10 seconds remaining on a goal from sophomore Allie Wittenbach of Ada, Michigan (Forest Hills Central HS). Sophomore goalie Mary Clare Theis of East Lansing, Michigan (Haslett HS), made five saves for the Flying Dutch.
On October 7, Kalamazoo beat visiting Hope 2-1 behind goals from Sarah George and Allie Brodsky. The Flying Dutch tied the score at 1-1 shortly before halftime on the first goal of the season from freshman Grace Bubin of Rockford, Michigan (Rockford HS). Brodsky gave the Hornets the lead back 7 ½ minutes into the second half. Hope outshot Kalamazoo 19-9, including an 11-1 edge during the second half. Goalie Grace Smith totaled 10 saves for the Hornets.
The Flying Dutch have scored 41 goals this season. They have yielded just 12.
The 12 shutouts for sophomore Mary Clare Theis are the third-most in team history. She trails Holly Nestle, who had 15 in each of the 2005 and 2003 seasons.
Freshman Rachael Braginton of Grandville, Michigan (Grandville HS) has made an impact in her first season with the Flying Dutch. With 10 goals in 19 games, she is the ninth different Hope player to reach double-digits in a single season. It is the 16th time in all a member of the Flying Dutch has scored 10-plus goals. Braginton is tied for 13th place in the single-season recordbook with Sarah Cochrane (2006), Raisa Yewah (2013) and Allison Van Beek (2006).
Freshman Rylie Dalton of Rockford, Michigan (Rockford HS) is challenging to be a double-digit scorer as well. She has eight goals in 20 matches, including multiple-goal games at Albion on September 17, at Alma on September 23 and at Olivet on October 21. The school record of 19 is shared by Melody Morscheck (1997) and Tracy Phelps (1996).
Erin Brophy's nine assists have her tied for ninth in team history with Tina Gill (1998), Gretchen Schoon (1997) and Allison Van Beek (2006). The school record of 13 belongs to Ellie Tresslar (2005).
Mallory Beswick was selected the MIAA Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week for games played through October 31. The sophomore back from Grand Haven, Michigan (Grand Haven HS), anchored the Flying Dutch defense during a 3-1 road victory at Saint Mary's last week. Beswick also posted a shot attempt in the game. This is the first time Beswick has been earned MIAA weekly recognition in her career. Hope's other weekly honoree this season was Rachel Braginton for offensive player of week on September 8.
