by Alan Babbitt

The Hope College men's soccer team scored its fastest goal of the season, paving the way for a 4-1 non-league victory against Olivet College Wednesday night at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.

Forward Griffin Bruso scored 7 minutes, 15 seconds into the game for a 1-0 lead.

The Flying Dutchmen never trailed and went on to raise their overall record to 6-2-1.

"I think it was real important," head coach Dave Brandt said of the quick goal, 'because they have a lot of guys behind the ball. It's hard to score in conference games. It was a non-conference game but against a conference opponent who knows us and was going to play us tough. It was good to get one early."

Watch post-game interview with sophomore defender Brandon Fles (Spring Lake, Michigan / Western Michigan Christian HS).

Junior defender Jackson Strabel set up Bruso (Bloomington, Illinois / Normal Community), pictured, for his third goal of the season. 

It was the second assist of the season for Strabel (Grand Rapids, Michigan (East Kentwood).

Hope extended its lead to 2-0 15 minutes later on the first goal of the season for freshman midfielder Thomas DeVries (Byron Center, Michigan / South Christian. The assist was the first of the season for sophomore midfielder Matt Wimmer (Farmington Hills, Michigan / Detroit Jesuit).

The Flying Dutchmen took a 2-1 lead into halftime after Olivet's Dominik Burmeister converted a penalty kick with 4:10 remaining in the first half.

It marked Hope's highest-scoring first half. Entering the game, one of the Flying Dutchmen's 10 goals this season came during the first half.

Hope's second-half scoring came on the first goal of the season from senior midfielder Ryan Flynn (Bloomington, Illinois / Bloomington) on a penalty kick 15 minutes into the period and an Olivet own goal with less than three minutes remaining.

The Flying Dutchmen's next game is the MIAA opener on Tuesday, October 5, against Adrian College. The kickoff is 7 p.m. at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.

Hope's scheduled game against the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on Saturday, Oct. 2 has been canceled.