by Alan Babbitt

Sarah Mikesell got the ball rolling for the Hope College women's soccer team quickly on Wednesday. Madison Holloway took over from there.

Holloway's hat trick and Mikesell's opening goal and two assists propelled the unbeaten Flying Dutch to a 6-0 non-league victory at North Park University (Illinois) in Chicago.

Hope improved to 3-0 on the season with its highest-scoring game since an 8-0 victory at Saint Mary's College on September 20, 2017.

"It's simple, but we know we can't score if we don't put it on frame," head coach Leigh Sears said. "It's another year of maturity for Sarah and Madison especially. They're playing so well right now with Ali Sorg."

Holloway recorded the first three-goal game of her college career. She now has six goals on the season, a career-high. 

The sophomore forward from Holland, Michigan (Holland Christian HS) was the first member of the Flying Dutch to accomplish the feat since Elizabeth Perkins did it during a 4-3 victory at Trine University on October 12, 2016.

For her hat trick, Holloway will receive a knitted blue cap with two orange stripes made by Sears' mother.

Holloway extended Hope's lead to 2-0 in the 20th minute. After a free kick from defender Jenna Mustapha ricocheted off the crossbar, Holloway kicked in the rebound before the ball touched the ground.

In the second half, Holloway made it 4-0 in the 51st minute thanks to assists from Sorg (Lafayette, Indiana / Harrison) and Mikesell (Norton Shores / Mona Shores).

Holloway struck for the third time and capped Hope's scoring in the 61st minute. Mikesell recorded her second assist of the game.

The Flying Dutch also received goals from Mikesell in the seventh minute off an assist from sophomore defender Tally Martinez (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland West), freshman forward Margaret Owsiany (Westerville, Ohio / Westerville Central) in the 44th minute off an assist from junior forward Cassidy Broekhuizen (Byron Center, Michigan / South Christian), and Mustapha (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Northern) off a 40-yard free kick in the 56th minute.

Hope's next game is Saturday, Sept. 11 at Knox College (Illinois). Kickoff is 12 p.m. Central. This is the teams' first all-time meeting.