The Hope College men's soccer team remains a young team but is excited about what is on the horizon for the 2016 season.
Head coach Dr. Steven Smith's Flying Dutchmen features roster dominated by underclassmen. There are only three seniors and one junior.
Hope looks to pick where it left off last season, winning five of its final five regular-season matches to qualify for the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament.
Head coach: Dr. Steven Smith
Associate head coach: Lee Schopp
Assistant coaches: David Hertel, Brent Wyckoff
Roster: 27
Class breakdown: Seniors - 3, Juniors - 1; Sophomores - 14; Freshmen - 9
Captains: Thomas Conerty, David White
Key returners: Senior Alex Lindsey and sophomore Jared Wondergem tied for second on the Flying Dutchmen in scoring last season with three goals apiece. Sophomore Christian Dault and Ryan Woodside were fifth in scoring at two goals apiece.
Senior departures: Ethan Beswick, Toby Blom, Michael Johns, David Porte, Andreas Slette. Porte was a All-MIAA Second Team selection last season.
2015 season: 9-10-1 overall, 6-7-1 MIAA. Finished fourth in MIAA standings and qualified for league tournament.
2016 opener: Friday, Sept. 2 at Ohio Wesleyan
Of note: Hope recorded its highest GPA during Dr. Steven Smith's tenure last season at 3.26. Twelve Flying Dutchmen players made the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. The Flying Dutchmen were picked fourth in this season's MIAA preseason coaches poll.
Coach's comment: "We started six to eight freshmen each game last year. That was very unusual for us. This year, we're hoping to build on that. I believe we will. We're probably not starting any freshmen other than in goal." - Dr. Steven Smith
