Head coach Leigh Sears welcomes the youth movement that has come to the Hope College women's soccer team.
Fourteen freshmen have made the Flying Dutch roster for the 2015 season, and Sears expects some them to contribute right away. It is not a rebuilding situation for the reigning Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association champions, though.
"I still think we have considerable experience coming back with senior Kristin Hazlett and the midfield and junior Elizabeth Perkins up top," Sears said. "We're definitely young, but I think they are working so hard to prove themselves. They're playing super hard, and they're starting to play really well together."
Hope kicks off the 2015 season on Tuesday, Sept. 1, when the Flying Dutch host Cornerstone University for a 5 p.m. match at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.
Pictured are co-captains Kristin Hazlett, Elizabeth Perkins, Jennifer Thelen and Anna Krueger
The Flying Dutch are coming off a 17-4-2 season that provided the second-most wins in team history and a run to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. Hope also claimed MIAA regular-season and tournament titles.
Nine seniors graduated from that team, including seven starters.
Here is a preview for each position for the Flying Dutch. Hope has a roster of 28 players with two seniors, seven juniors, five sophomores and 14 freshmen.
FORWARDS
Perkins, from Eaton Rapids, Michigan (Lansing Christian HS), is back after scoring nine goals last season and sharing the team lead. The team co-captain was an All-MIAA First Team forward in 2014.
Sophomore Allie Wittenbach of Ada, Michigan (Forest Hills Central HS), finished third with eight goals last season, including the game-winner in a first-round win at nationally ranked Wheaton, Illinois in the NCAA Tournament.
Sophomore Erin Brophy of West Lafayette, Indiana (West Lafayette HS), will contributed, along with freshmen Rachael Braginton of Grandville, Michigan (Grandville HS), Grace Bubin of Rockford, Michigan (Rockford HS), Hilary Curry of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Grandville Calvin Christian HS), and Annie Veld of Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa HS).
"Rachel plays dramatically different than Elizabeth. Our style can change depending on who we play," Sears said. "Grace has speed, but we also have Allie and Erin being the starting outsides for us."
MIDFIELD
Hazlett, a 2014 All-MIAA Second Team honoree from Bay Village, Ohio (Bay HS), anchors the most seasoned position group for Hope. The co-captain chipped in two goals and three assists in 22 games last season.
Juniors Natalie Curry of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Calvin Christian HS), and Sarah Fazio of Holland, Michigan (Holland Christian HS), both come back with starting experience.
Others who could contribute are senior co-captain Anna Krueger of Traverse City, Michigan (Traverse City Central HS), junior Kendall Dice of Allendale, Michigan (Hudsonville Unity Christian HS), and freshmen Rylie Dalton of Rockford, Michigan (Rockford HS), and Analise Sala of West Bloomfield, Michigan (Farmington Hills Mercy HS).
"We will have a couple of freshmen get some playing there to get some experience," Sears said. "We will miss (All-MIAA midfielder) Lindsay Bieri for sure, but that's the most experienced line we have coming back."
BACKS
Junior co-captain Jennifer Thelen of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan (Andover HS), is the most veteran defender after starting 23 games last season.
Junior Jessica Lockwood of Kentwood, Michigan (Grand Rapids South Christian HS), has returned to the lineup after being limited her to eight games last season. She started 19 games a freshman.
Freshman Murphy Stadelmaier of Midland, Michigan (H.H. Dow), could contribute immediately, Sears said.
Other backs in the mix are juniors Molly Miedema of Spring Lake, Michigan (Spring Lake HS) and Rachel deMarigny of Park Ridge, Illinois (Maine Township South HS), sophomores Mallory Beswick of Grand Haven, Michigan (Grand Haven HS) and Tymi Staub of Ann Arbor, Michigan (Gabriel Richard HS), and freshmen Eliza Beird of Holland, Michigan (Black River HS), Anna Bremer of Grand Rapids, Michigan (East Grand Rapids HS), Morgan Buursma of Grandville, Michigan (Calvin Christian HS), Lindsay Kooy of Metamora, Michigan (Flint Powers Catholic HS), and Kristen Marsman of Holland, Michigan (Holland Christian HS).
GOALIES
The Flying Dutch will have a new starter in goal this season.
Sophomore Mary Clare Theis of East Lansing, Michigan (Haslett HS), has really good high school and club starting experience, Sears said.
Freshmen Shelby Bowers of Coldwater, Michigan (Coldwater HS), and Jaelyn Winia of Zeeland, Michigan (Holland Black River HS), also could contribute.
