The Hope College men's soccer team got off to an emphatic start with an opening 5-1 win over Benedictine (Ill.) College on Friday in Aurora, Illinois. The Flying Dutchmen struck for three goals in the first half and two in the second.

Hope head coach Dave Brant played 22 different Hope players in the first game of the new season.

Sophomore midfielder Ryan Flynn of Bloomington, Illinois (Bloomington HS) started the game's scoring with an unassisted goal only seven minutes and 12 seconds into the contest. Twelve minutes and 17 seconds later, senior midfielder Isaac Braak of Grand Haven (Grand Haven HS) sent an assist to senior forward Logan Bylsma of Hudsonville (Hudsonville HS), pictured right, who put the ball in the back of the net for the two captains' first points of the season.

Hope's scoring in first 45 minutes ended with another unassisted goal, this time by sophomore Caleb Schoon of Ludington (Ludington HS), pictured left, at the 33:51 mark.

Benedictine tallied its only goal in the first half and the game stood, 3-1, at halftime.

Most of the second half was a defensive battle, but the Flying Dutchmen recorded their last two goals within eight minutes of the final horn. At 82:04, Bylsma scored again off an assist from freshman midfielder Grant Hofland of Holland (Holland HS). At 89:38, Schoon also recorded his second goal, assisted by freshman defender Griffin Doran of Haslett (Haslett HS).

Hope took 19 shots (11 on goal) to Benedictine's five (two on goal). The Flying Dutchmen had six corners to the Eagles' three.

Hope finishes its opening weekend in Illinois against host Aurora College on Saturday, August 31. Game time is 7:00 p.m. CDT.