by Lenny Padilla

Jackson Strabel is big on second chances. 

The junior scored his first career goal off a deflection as Hope College beat Albion College 3-0 on Saturday night in an MIAA matchup.

Hope, ranked No. 23 by D3soccer.com, improved to 2-0 in the MIAA and 8-2-1 overall. Albion fell to 0-2 in conference and 2-6-1 overall.

The Flying Dutchmen received goals from sophomore Matt Wimmer, Strabel, and freshman Cameron Hoober.

"It was really big," Hope coach Dave Brandt said of Hope's first two goals. "Scoring is the name of the game. So to get one early in each half … If I could order what I wanted for each game, that's what I would want."

Strabel (Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Kentwood HS) took a shot in front of the net with seven minutes into the second half. The ball deflected off a defender right back to the feet of Hope's defender who didn't miss his second attempt.

Strabel, pictured right, has played 39 games in his career and this was his first goal. He does have seven assists, including two this season.

Watch interview with Jackson Strabel

Wimmer (Farmington Hills, Michigan / Detroit Jesuit HS) got the scoring started for the Flying Dutchmen 5 minutes, 36 seconds into the game. It was Hope's fastest goal of the season.

Wimmer used two Albion defenders to shield the shot and rip a ball into the lower left side of the net to give Hope a 1-0 lead.

It was Wimmer's fourth goal of the season and the fifth of his career. 

"I've been talking to Matt, just about him having a more attacking mentality," Brandt said. "He scored in the game the other night and he did it again tonight. I don't think it was anything tactical. He was just willing to shoot the ball."

Hoober (Lancaster, Penn. / Lancaster Mennonite) made it 3-0. The freshman, pictured left, took a long lead pass from Ethan Jansen (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Norhtern) and went one-on-one with a defender. He drew the keeper out of the net and drilled a shot from the right side to the lower-left corner. It was Hoober's first career goal.

Neither Hope goalkeeper needed to make a save: Daniel Hesselbein (Barrington, Illinois / Barrington Community) and Joey Weber (Buckley, Michigan / Buckley Community), who played the final three minutes in net. It was the first apperance of the season for Weber (Buckley, Michigan / Buckley Community). 

Hope returns to play on Wednesday, Oct. 13, when the Flying Dutchmen travel to Trine University for a 4 p.m. contest.