by Alan Babbitt

The Hope College men's soccer team emphatically put away Alma College early on Wednesday — scoring five first-half goals en route to a 6-1 victory at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.

The Flying Dutchmen (12-1-1 overall) moved into third place in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association standings with a 3-1-1 league record. There are two regular-season matches remaining: at Trine University on Saturday and at home against Adrian College on Tuesday, October 23.

The two top teams in the MIAA standings receive a first-round bye to the six-team MIAA Tournament. Hope trails second-place Adrian by two points and leads fourth-place Trine by one after rebounding from a 2-2 draw at Albion College on Saturday.

Senior Christian Dault of Grand Haven, Michigan (Grand Haven HS), pictured left, and junior Logan Bylsma of Hudsonville, Michigan (Hudsonville), pictured right, each scored twice for the Flying Dutchmen. All of their goals came before halftime which Hope led 5-0.

Bylsma now has a team-leading and a career-high 11 goals on the season. He is tied for third in the MIAA in goal scoring.

Senior James Reymann of Columbus, Ohio (Worthington Kilbourne) opened the scoring 6 ½ minutes into the match off a free kick. He is second for Hope with a career-best seventh goal.

Dault has six goals.

Junior Isaac Braak of Grand Haven, Michigan (Grand Haven) chipped in his fifth goal of the season in the second half. Braak also recorded an assist on Bylsma's first goal.

Alma (5-8, 2-3 MIAA) avoided the shutout when Torsten Holland scored on a penalty kick with 12:52 remaining in regulation.