by Alan Babbitt
The Hope College men's soccer team is projected to be in the chase for a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship this spring.
The Flying Dutchmen placed second in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll with 43 points and one first-place vote.
Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own programs. Calvin topped the poll with 49 points and seven first-place votes.
Photo of Brett Dyer (7) by Steve Herppich
Led by head coach Dave Brandt, the Flying Dutchmen return three all-league players from a 2019 team that played in the NCAA Division III Tournament. Hope finished that season with a 14-6-1 overall record and a 6-1 mark in MIAA games.
Midfielder Ryan Flynn (Bloomington, Illinois/Bloomington HS) earned All-MIAA First Team honors as a sophomore.
Senior midfielder Ty Dalton (Rockford, Michigan/Rockford) and junior defender Brett Dyer (Northport, Michigan/Northport) were second-team selections in 2019.
The Flying Dutchmen's season opener is Friday, March 19 at home vs. Kalamazoo College.
A single round of play to determine an MIAA regular-season champion will begin for Hope on Thursday, March 25 at Adrian College.
The MIAA Tournament will feature teams seeded 1-4 playing for a tournament title, while teams seeded 5-8 will play in a consolation bracket. First-round games are Tuesday, April 20. Semifinal games are Thursday, April 22. The final round is Saturday, April 24.
