Jenna Mustapha heads the soccer ball forward.

Women's Soccer 8/31/2022 9:52:00 AM Alan Babbitt

2022 Women's Soccer Preview

Junior defender Jenna Mustapha (18)

The Hope College women's soccer team is aiming to pick up right where it left off last season.

The Flying Dutch went undefeated over the final five games of the 2021 regular season, going 4-0-1 to claim an MIAA Tournament title and make the eighth NCAA Division III Championships appearance in team history. It was Hope's fourth trip to the postseason in eight years. The Flying Dutch finished with a 13-5-2 overall record after losing to Ohio Northern University in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Led by head coach Leigh Sears, Hope will have to overcome the graduation of two All-MIAA honorees: first-team selection and leading scorer Sarah Mikesell and midfielder Caroline Burkhardt.

2022 Schedule

The Flying Dutch kick off the season with four consecutive home matches at Van Andel Soccer Stadium, beginning with two over Labor Day weekend. On Friday, September 2, Hope hosts Wheaton College (Ill.) at 4 p.m. in a matchup of NCAA Tournament qualifying teams from last season. On Monday, September 5, the Flying Dutch face visiting Central College (Iowa) at 2 p.m.

During the 13-day homestand, Hope also will host a free team poster giveaway when the Flying Dutch meet Knox College (Illinois) on Thursday, September 8, at 4 p.m.

MIAA play begins on Wednesday, September 28, with a 4 p.m. match at Adrian College.

Hope will host its Purple Community game benefitting Van Andel Institute on Saturday, October 15, at noon against Albion College.

MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

The Flying Dutch finished runner-up with the 2022 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll with 17 points and two first-place votes.

Four teams received at least one first-place vote, including preseason favorite Calvin University, which totaled 15 points and four first-place votes. Coaches could not vote for their own teams. Trine University placed third with 20 points and two first-place votes. Albion College took fourth with 24 points and one first-place vote.

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Leigh Sears, 22nd season (249-123-35)
Associate Head Coach: Elliot Slenk
Assistant Coaches: Holly VanNoord, Kate Thayer

2022 Roster

The Flying Dutch's roster of 31 players features 15 returning letterwinners, including two-time, All-MIAA First Team defender Jenna Mustapha (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Northern).

Junior forward Madison Holloway (Macatawa, Michigan / Holland Christian) is Hope's leading returning goal scorer after netting a career-high 10 last season.

Sophomore forward Margaret Owsiany (Westerville, Ohio / Westerville Central) finished third on the team in scoring in 2021 with four goals and two assists.

Sophomore goalkeeper Parker Hutchinson (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Northern) went 6-3 with a 0.93 goals against average in 2021.

Captains

Four captains will lead the Flying Dutch this season: Mustapha (chemistry major), senior forward and communication major Emma Dutmers (Traverse City, Michigan / Traverse City Central), senior defender and chemistry major Erin Powers (Norton Shores, Michigan / Mona Shores), and senior defender and communication/computer science major Kealeigh Usiak (Dimondale, Michigan / Lansing Christian).

By the Numbers

Over 34 seasons, the Flying Dutch have recorded a 374-193-48 overall record for a .647 winning percentage.

Hope has made the NCAA Tournament eight times during its history, including a 2018 run to the round of 16.

The Flying Dutch outscored their opponents by a 40-19 margin during the 2021 season. Hope recorded 191 shots on goal to opponents' 97.

Van Andel Soccer Stadium has offered a home-field advantage since the facility opened in 2009. The Flying Dutch own an 85-21-12 record there, including a 61-11-8 mark in MIAA play. Hope matched a team best with 10 wins there last season.

Coach's Outlook

"This team is really willing to work hard. We have a really big group of new kids, a transfer and a lot of freshmen. They come from winning programs and have raised the level of intensity. The biggest strength is our depth. We're a little deeper than we have been the past couple of years, which allows us to play a lot harder during games, press a little more. The non conference schedule is going to be tough. The opening weekend is going to be a really good test for us. Wheaton is always strong. We have not played Central before but we know enough about them that it's going to be a good game. Then, we have the typical Capital, UChicago, North Park, North Central (opponents) to help get us ready for conference play. The conference is always a toss up. There are going to be a lot of teams at the top." — Leigh Sears

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Players Mentioned

#15 Caroline Burkhardt: Midfielder; 5' 5"; Senior

#11 Sarah Mikesell: Forward; 5' 5"; Senior

#7 Emma Dutmers: F; 5' 9"; Senior

#20 Madison Holloway: F; Junior; Exercise Science

#1 Parker Hutchinson: GK; Junior

#18 Jenna Mustapha: D; Junior; chemistry

Erin Powers: D; 5' 7"; Senior

#22 Kealeigh Usiak: D; 5' 3"; Senior

#31 Margaret Owsiany: F; Sophomore; Business

Players Mentioned

#15 Caroline Burkhardt
: 5' 5"; Senior
: Midfielder

#11 Sarah Mikesell
: 5' 5"; Senior
: Forward

#7 Emma Dutmers
: 5' 9"; Senior
: F

#20 Madison Holloway
: Junior; Exercise Science
: F

#1 Parker Hutchinson
: Junior
: GK

#18 Jenna Mustapha
: Junior; chemistry
: D

Erin Powers
: 5' 7"; Senior
: D

#22 Kealeigh Usiak
: 5' 3"; Senior
: D

#31 Margaret Owsiany
: Sophomore; Business
: F