The Hope College women's soccer team eyes putting more pressure on opponents this season.

The Flying Dutch are aiming to improve on last season's 10-5-2 overall record and third-place 5-2-1 mark in MIAA play by utilizing more of their talent on the field, head coach Leigh Sears said.

"Hopefully, it's our depth," Sears said when asked about a strength her team possesses. "We have a big roster. I don't have a problem with that. I think we're going to go deep in a couple of lines, which I think is going to help us play harder throughout the game and not have any letdowns when the subs go in."

2023 Schedule

The Flying Dutch kick off the season over Labor Day weekend with two non-league games in Iowa. On Friday, Sept. 1, at 1 p.m. Central, Hope plays at Wartburg College, a 16-win team a year ago that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Championships. On Saturday, Sept. 2, the Flying Dutch face Central College on the road, a nine-win opponent that played Hope to a 1-1 draw last season at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.

Hope's first of eight home games is on Friday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. vs. Centre College (Kentucky), a first-team opponent.

MIAA matches kick off on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 5 p.m. against visiting Adrian College. 

2023 Roster

The Flying Dutch feature a roster of 30, including six seniors, six juniors, 12 sophomores and six freshmen. 

There are 21 returning letterwinners, including three-time All-MIAA and 2022 first-team selection Jenna Mustapha on defense and two-time All-MIAA and 2022 first-team honoree Natalie Hammer at forward. Both Mustapha and Hammer were all-region selections last season.

Mustapha (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Northern) is a senior and a chemistry major. Hammer (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) is a senior and a German and social work major.

The Flying Dutch also bring back a pair of All-MIAA Second Team selections from last season: forward Madison Holloway and sophomore defender Olivia Dieppa. Holloway (Holland, Michigan / Holland Christian) is a senior and an exercise science major. Dieppa (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) is a senior and an exercise science major.

Hope is captained by Hammer, Mustapha, senior midfielder Elisa Melville (Jackson, Michigan / Lumen Christi) and junior defender Gabby Chabala (Canton, Michigan / Dearborn Divine Child).

2023 Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Dr. Leigh Sears, 23rd season (316-194-42, 260-128-37 at Hope)
Associate Head Coach: Elliot Slenk
Assistant Coaches: Kate Thayer, Holly Van Noord

MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

The Flying Dutch tied for second place in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll after totaling 18 points. 

Hope shared second place with Trine University, which received two first-place votes in the nine-team poll. Defending MIAA champion Calvin University is the preseason favorite with nine points and seven first-place votes. Coaches could not vote for their own teams.

Coach's Outlook

"I think our freshmen from last season have matured a lot, so they're a better group. We brought in a good group of freshmen; we have two transfers to add to that. So far, it's been more intense. They're working a lot harder. We just got better. Non-league, Wartburg is always a NCAA Championships-caliber team. We played Central (Iowa) last year; we hope to do better this year. We still have UChicago and added Illinois Wesleyan back in. We have a really tough non-conference schedule to prepare us for conference." — Leigh Sears