Behind a penalty kick from each team and solid defense on both ends of the field, the Hope College men's soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday afternoon at Trine University. 

With a 3-1-1 league record and 10 points, the Flying Dutchmen remain in sole possession of second place with two games remaining. Hope trails Calvin University by two points after Albion College won at Calvin, 1-0, on Wednesday night.

Trine University and Kalamazoo College are in third with a 2-1-2 MIAA record and eight points apiece. Albion College is in fifth place with a 2-2-1 league record and seven points.

The top two teams receive a first-round bye for the MIAA Tournament. Hope plays at Albion on Saturday, Oct. 22, at noon.

"We wanted to win, but the reality is an away game at Trine, on a tough field and in tough weather conditions, keeping second place secure with a tie is a result we can live with," head coach David Blahnik said. "Early defensive miscue made it tough by giving up a goal, but the guys earned a well-deserved goal back."

Trine's goal came at the 7:46 mark in the first half after a successful penalty kick by Tyler Murphy. 

The Thunder went on to outshoot Hope, 8-1, during the first half.

Hope (5-3-6 overall) matched the Thunder shot for shot in the second half with four shots apiece. 

The second half started with increased intensity from Hope, including a shot just 46 seconds into game play by junior Ethan Jansen (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Northern HS)  that would end up soaring right of the goal. 

In the 61st minute of the game, the Flying Dutchmen found themselves with a penalty kick situation of their own, where sophomore Mario Hrvojevic (Lincolnwood, Illinois / Loyola Academy) capitalized to even the score against Trine. It was Hrvojevic's third goal of the season. 

For the match, Trine and Hope were even in shots on goal, with three, while the Thunder sent out 12 total shots to Hope's five. 

Following the Orange and Blue's game-tying goal, Trine fired shots on netminder sophomore Keegan DeKuiper (Mona Shores, Michigan / Mona Shores) who fended off both shots to keep the game at 1-1.