by Lenny Padilla

Fans were still settling into their seats when the Hope College soccer team tallied its first goal.

Ryan Flynn, pictured top, scored on a penalty kick with just 2 minutes and 46 seconds into the match as the Flying Dutchmen went on to beat Alma College 3-1 on Thursday evening in the semifinals of the MIAA Tournament.

"Getting a goal two minutes into the game is a huge momentum boost for the guys," Hope midfielder Nic Kubert said. "We knew we wanted to score early."

The third-seeded Flying Dutchmen (4-1-1) advance to play fourth-seeded Trine University on Saturday, April 24 in the championship game at Van Andel Stadium. Trine was a 2-1 double OT winner over Albion College in the other semifinal.

Championship game time at Van Andel Soccer Stadium on the campus of Hope College is 5 p.m.

"We're happy to play anywhere," head coach Dave Brandt said. "It's been a weird spring. We had five-of-seven conference games canceled. I'm just glad we're playing."

The first score was a team-leading third goal of the season for Flynn, a junior from Bloomington, Illinois (Bloomington HS).

Kubert, a sophomore from Rochester Hills, Michigan (Avondale HS), pictured middle, scored, too. He got a nice pass from freshman Matt Wimmer (Farmington Hills, Mich./Detroit Jesuit HS) to make it 2-0, 11 minutes into the second half.

"Matt cut to his right, slipped me the ball and a one-touch on my left foot, and I curled into the back post and the keeper didn't move," Kubert said.

So how did it feel to score his first goal of the season?

"I've had chances in previous games and wasn't able to bury 'em," said Kubert, who had four goals last season. "Now that I've got my first one, it's a big confidence boost. It's huge and hopefully I can get a few more on net."

Alma cut the lead to 2-1 when Joe Rawlin scored with 15 minutes left in the game.

"Getting that second goal by Nic was huge," Brandt said. "But then we gave it right back. You've got to give Alma credit for not folding when they were down 2-0. We made a mistake in the back (defense) and they scored. It worried us a bit, so was nice to get that third goal."

That third goal was scored by freshman Jake Lyon (Marshall, Mich./Marshall HS), pictured bottom, with 11 minutes left in the game. 

"For Jake, I think it's good for him to get a goal," Brandt said. "There's potential there for sure. He's a big, strong, fast, physical player."

Kubert said his teammates were happy for Lyon, too. It was his first career goal.

"That's huge for the team," Kubert said. "We've been getting on Jake for not putting the ball in the back of the net. He's had many chances and it was great to see him get that one."

Hope College outshot Alma 24-4 including 9-2 in shots on goal. Flying Dutchmen goalkeeper Austin Cortes (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township HS) made two saves.