by Alan Babbitt

Hope College goalkeeper Isabelle Bertolone refused to yield a goal to Albion College. Not during two 45-minute halves. Not during two 10-minute overtime periods. 

And not during penalty kicks, either. The senior from Muskegon, Michigan (Muskegon Catholic Central HS), pictured, stopped all three PKs she faced from the Britons in the MIAA Tournament semifinal on Tuesday at Albion.

The Flying Dutch converted all three of their penalty kicks to advance to the title game and will host fourth-seeded Trine University on Saturday, Nov. 6 at a time to be announced. Trine advanced on penalty kicks after a scoreless draw at top-seeded Calvin University on Tuesday.

"It's huge," head coach Leigh Sears said amid a boisterous and celebratory bus ride back home. "It's been our goal all year to win the MIAA Tournament. We've been focused on getting there to the final."

This is Hope's ninth appearance in an MIAA final and first since 2018.

Third-seeded Hope will bring a 12-4-2 overall record to the MIAA Tournament title game after playing the second-seeded Britons to a scoreless tie during the semifinals.

During 110 minutes of regulation and overtime play, Bertoline made three saves — two of which came in overtime. Both teams finished with two shots. Albion keeper Romee Natschke made two saves in regulation and overtime.

In penalty kicks, midfielder Anna Biebel shot first. The sophomore from Grand Rapids, Michigan (Forest Hills Central) buried her attempt for a 1-0 lead.

Bertolone then turned away Albion's first attempt. Senior midfielder Caroline Burkhardt (Louisville, Kentucky / Martha Layne Collins) converted her PK for a 2-0 lead.

On Albion's second attempt, Bertolone stood tall again. Sophomore forward Madison Holloway (Macatawa, Michigan / Holland Christian) buried her PK to extend Hope's lead.

Bertolone, who caught two Albion PKs and tipped on over the net, made her final save to end the best-of-five shootout.

Pictured, from left to right, Anna Biebel, Caroline Burkhardt, Madison Holloway

Sears said the Flying Dutch prepared for a moment such as the MIAA Tournament semifinal all season.

"We practice PKs all season. You can't just wait until you need to do it," Sears said. "We do this every week. You may need a PK during the season. Any time you need one, you want to be ready for it."

The practice doesn't benefit just Hope's PK takers, either.

The Flying Dutch's crew of keepers, including Bertolone, honed their skills as well, Sears said.

"Some keepers can just read the shooter really well," Sears said. "Isabelle has that knack. Parker Hutchinson does, too."