by Lenny Padilla

Sarah Mikesell, pictured, can be a handful for a defense to deal with.

The senior from Norton Shores, Michigan (Mona Shores HS) had a goal and an assist as the Flying Dutch shutout Saint Mary's College 3-0 on Saturday in their first game in the MIAA this season in South Bend, Indiana.

Hope improves to 1-0-0 in conference and 7-2-0 overall.

Mikesell scored at the 24-minute mark of the first half to give Hope a 1-0 lead. It was her sixth goal of the season.

Junior Erin Powers said it's fun to play with Mikesell and forward Madison Holloway (Holland, Mich. / Holland Christian HS) on offense.

"It's cool that we have the confidence that we can put the ball somewhere, and it doesn't matter who it's to, they're going to execute," said Powers, who is also from Norton Shores, Michigan (Mona Shores HS). "It's not like we're just playing to one side, our whole offense feels pretty strong right now. Having them on the team gives us a lot of options."

Anna Biebel (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Forest Hills Northern HS) scored her first goal of the season at the 64-minute mark off a pass from Mikesell. Freshman Margaret Owsiany (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville Central HS) made it 3-0 when she scored off a pass from junior Kealeigh Usiak (Dimondale, Mich./Lansing Christian HS). It is the second goal of the season for Owsiany and the second career assist for Usiak.

Hope took a stunning 34 shots and 14 of them were on net. Mikesell had a team-high four shots on goal.

Saint Mary's (0-2-0 MIAA, 7-4-0 overall) only attempted four shots all game with two of them on net. 

Head coach Leigh Sears said recently that she's been happy with the defense.

"Our defense did well," Sears said. "They've been playing solid all year, especially Anneliese Lockner (pictured.)  She's amazing."

Flying Dutch goalkeeper Parker Huchinson, a sophomore from Ada, Mich. (Forest Hills Northern HS), stopped both shots she faced. She now has six shutouts this season.

Hope College returns to play on Wednesday, Oct. 6 when it travels to Calvin University for a 7 p.m. game.