The Hope College women's soccer team made its first match against Wartburg College one to remember.

The Flying Dutch scored three unanswered goals to earn a 3-1, season-opening road victory against a 23rd-ranked opponent on Friday in Waverly, Iowa.

"It was a great start to the season," head coach Leigh Sears said. "It was a game where we could showcase our depth and there really wasn't a dropoff when we subbed. There was great energy off the bench and that was a factor for us scoring three unanswered goals. Our transfers made a big impact on the game, and our back line really limited their opportunities." 

Wartburg grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute on a goal from Nikayla Youngblut.

About 4 ½ minutes later, Hope drew even on junior forward Carley Wagasky's first goal with the Flying Dutch.

The transfer from the University of Findlay (Ohio) and Grand Haven, Michigan (Grand Haven HS) scored unassisted.

The Flying Dutch seized a 2-1 lead in the 34th minute when sophomore forward Ainsley Harris delivered the game-winner off assists from sophomore forward Avery Coykendall (Plymouth, Michigan / Canton) and freshman forward Heidi Berkey (Grand Haven, Michigan / Grand Haven). Harris (Zeeland, Michigan / Holland Christian) is a transfer from Cornerstone University.

Hope iced the non-league victory when senior forward Natalie Hammer (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) registered her 13th career goal in the 59th minute thanks to an assist from senior forward Madison Holloway (Macatawa, Michigan / Holland Christian).

The Flying Dutch outshot Wartburg by a 31-8 margin.

Freshman goalie Clara Feenstra (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) earned her first collegiate victory by making three saves in 90 minutes.

Hope next will play at Central College (Iowa) on Saturday, Sept. 2, at 2 p.m. Central. The two teams finished with a 1-1 draw last season at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.

On Friday, Central defeated Saint Mary's College from the MIAA, 2-0, in its opener on Friday.