by Abigail Krueger '21

Freshman forward Natalie Hammer highlighted a dominant performance for the Hope College women's soccer team, scoring back-to-back goals to secure a 3-0 win over Alma College at Van Andel Stadium.

The Flying Dutch improved their record to 2-1-1 overall and in MIAA play.

After dominating the first half of play, the Flying Dutch could not manage to find the back of the net. With a number of missed chances from the Flying Dutch, the half closed in a 0-0 tie.

"At halftime, we said 'Goal scorers have to score goals.' We were beating them on the outside and getting in but we couldn't finish. To win, we have to score goals," head coach Leigh Sears said of the first half of play.

Hope took that advice to heart immediately.

The Flying Dutch found the spark they needed with 33 minutes remaining in the second half. Hope took a 1-0 lead when freshman defender Madison Holloway of Macatawa, Michigan (Holland Christian), pictured left, sliced a free-kick into the upper right corner of the net. 

With 22 minutes remaining, senior Audrey White of Hudsonville, Michigan (Hudsonville) flew past a defender down the right sideline, sending the ball into the mix inside the penalty box. 

After a few bounces, Hammer (Rockford, Michigan/Rockford), pictured right, connected a perfectly placed backheel goal into the net, catching the goalie by surprise and turning heads in the process. 

"It was definitely a team effort to get to that spot. From there, it was just a magical moment where everything just fell into place," Hammer said. 

The magic continued with a mere four minutes remaining in the second half as Hammer scored her second goal of the game. Freshman Jenna Mustapha of Ada, Michigan (Forest Hills Northern) fired a corner kick to the edge of the 6-yard box — finding the head of Hammer who sent the ball sailing past the goalie. 

"What was going through my head was, 'Jump high and sell out'," Hammer said of her header goal. "I really tried to do that for my team, my coaches and everyone who supports us."

The Flying Dutch outshot Alma, 25-2 in the match, including 13-0 in shots on goal. Alma is 2-4 on the season and in MIAA games.

Hope will go on the road to take on Kalamazoo College on Monday, April 12.