by Lenny Padilla

Madison Holloway only scored one goal in a shortened soccer season last spring, but the Hope College forward is scoring them in bunches this season.

The sophomore from Holland, Michigan (Holland Christian HS) scored in the first half on Saturday afternoon in a 2-0 win over Wittenberg University (Ohio) at Van Andel Soccer Stadium. 

Holloway, pictured left, also had two goals on Friday as Hope beat visiting DePauw University (Indiana), 4-1.

"It's very exciting," Holloway said. "It's a great way to come out and start the season. The team is looking really good. I'm excited for what's to come."

The Flying Dutch improved to 2-0 with their second win of the opening weekend.

"It's a big deal to get out of the first weekend 2-0," head coach Leah Sears said. "A lot of people contributed and we're playing a little bit of a different style. They're catching on to it. It's looking pretty good."

At the 19th minute of the first half, Holloway got a pass from senior Caroline Burkhardt (Louisville, Ky. / Martha Layne Collins HS) as she cut up the middle. Holloway drilled a left-footed shot past Wittenberg keeper Emma Schewe.

"She was a big part of (the offense) last year as a freshman," Sears said of Holloway. "She's really dangerous on the left side. She and (Sarah Mikesell) are both left-footed, but we can play them both on either side. She can play center/forward. It's really good news for us that she scored three goals this weekend."

Mikesell, a senior from Norton Shores, Michigan (Mona Shores HS), scored in the second half on Saturday. It was her second goal this season.

At the 73rd minute, Mikesell, pictured right, took a touch pass from Cassidy Broekhuizen (Byron Center, Mich. / South Christian HS) as she cut to the net on the left side of the field and drilled a shot past Schewe for a 2-0 lead.

Holloway said she loves playing forward with Mikesell.

"Very, very special," she said. "I think it helps us finish in the final third (of the field). She's amazing at taking the ball down and sliding it across. That's something that's really valuable to have on our team. She's got great footwork."

Hope outshot Wittenberg 8-1. Flying Dutch keeper Parker Hutchinson (Ada, Mich. / Forest Hills Northern HS) was rarely tested and only faced one shot.

The Flying Dutch next play on Wednesday at North Park University for a 5 p.m. Central contest.