Applying the pressure paid off for the Hope College women's soccer team as a second-half goal propelled the Flying Dutch to a home win on an early Wednesday evening at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.
The 1-0, non-league win against NAIA Trinity Christian College (Ill.) put Hope at 7-2-5 on the season.
The loss was just the third of the season for the Trolls (10-3-2).
In the 61st minute of play senior Jenna Mustapha (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Northern HS) soared a free kick just past midfield towards the box that first touched the foot of junior Carley Wagasky (Grand Haven, Michigan / Grand Haven).
After a ricochet save by the Trinity Christian goalkeeper, sophomore Ainsley Harris (Zeeland, Michigan / Holland Christian), a dangerous player to have with the ball that deep in the box, rocketed a shot into the net where the Trolls' goalkeeper could not reach in time to give Hope the lead late in the game.
Freshman Clara Feenstra (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) picked up seven saves in her third shutout of the season, all three coming on home turf.
Hope held the Trolls to just two corner kicks in the win to its nine.
The Flying Dutch fired off 30 shots, eight on goal, while the visitors tallied 18 shots, seven on goal.
Hope returns to the field on Saturday, Oct. 21, at noon for a Senior Day celebration before they take on the University of Olivet at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.
