Head coach Steven Smith is encouraged about his Hope College men's soccer team heading into the 14th annual Bergsma Memorial Tournament this weekend amid all the changes and challenges the Flying Dutchmen are facing.
The Flying Dutchmen won their season opener on Tuesday 4-0 against Grace Bible after debuting a roster of 29 that included 15 freshmen and one transfer. They also missed several key players due to injury as well.
Hope returns to action this weekend at Van Andel Soccer Stadium with matches against St. Scholastica, Minnesota tonight at 7 p.m. and Illinois Wesleyan Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Click here for a history of the Bergsma Memorial Tournament.
"I feel good," Smith said after the shutout against Grace Bible. "We have enough injuries we ended up starting five freshmen and a transfer, very new faces for our teams. Other guys stepped up. They really did an effective job."
The Flying Dutchmen's roster also includes four seniors, six juniors and four sophomores. This is Smith's 26th season as Hope's head coach.
Senior co-captain David Porte of Mattawan, Michigan (Mattawan HS), is the returning goalscorer for the Flying Dutchmen. He tied for sixth last season with two goals along with fellow forward Andreas Slette, a senior from Holland, Michigan (Holland HS).
Freshmen Jared Wondergem of Hudsonville, Michigan (Hudsonville HS) and Ryan Woodside of Bloomington, Illinois (Normal Community HS), also are expected to contribute, Smith said.
In the midfield, five freshmen started against Grace Bible: Isaac Braak of Grand Haven, Michigan (Grand Haven HS), Christian Dault of Grand Haven, Michigan (Grand Haven HS), Ben Hagman of Powell, Ohio (Olentangy Liberty HS), junior transfer Alex Lindsey of East Lansing, Michigan (East Lansing HS), and Sam Mason of Wheaton, Illinois (Wheaton North HS).
Sophomore David White of Vernon Hills, Illinois (Vernon Hills HS), is in line to be a leader for the Flying Dutchmen, Smith said. Other midfielders who will contribute are junior William Bennick of Grand Haven, Michigan (Grand Haven HS), sophomore Rilee Bouwkamp of Holland, Michigan (Holland Christian HS), freshman Jack Veld of Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa HS), and freshman Braxton West of Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa HS).
Senior co-captain Toby Blom of Holland, Michigan (Holland Christian HS), anchors the backfield for the Flying Dutchmen.
"I always feel good when Toby is out on the pitch because of his leadership as well as his ability," Smith said.
Senior Michael Johns of Flushing, Michigan (Flushing HS), and juniors Thomas Conerty of Ada, Michigan (Forest Hills Central HS), and Miguel Ramirez of Joliet, Illinois (Joliet Township West HS), all have starting experience for the Flying Dutchmen.
Freshman Steve Binnig of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (North Allegheny HS), started against Grace Bible.
Other backs expected to contribute sophomore Ryan Hanson of Franklin, Michigan (Franklin HS) and freshmen Colin Bennett of Holland, Michigan (Holland HS), Anders Northuis of Holland, Michigan (Holland HS), James Reymann of Columbus, Ohio (Worthington Kilbourne HS), Mackenna Senti of Zeeland, Michigan (Hudsonville Unity Christian HS), and Sam Allbritten of Warsaw, Indiana (Warsaw HS).
The Flying Dutchmen have four goalies on their roster, including a returning starter in senior co-captain Ethan Beswick of Grand Haven, Michigan (Grand Haven HS). Beswick sat out the Grace Bible match because of injury, as did fellow senior Sam Barthel of Waukesha, Wisconsin (Waukesha HS).
Sophomore Joseph Fifer of Caledonia, Michigan (Caledonia HS), started and recorded the shutout against Grace Bible.
Freshman Justin DeYoung of Mokena, Illinois (Lockport Township HS), also is a goalie for Hope.
