The Hope College men's soccer team played No. 24-ranked Ohio Wesleyan University to a scoreless draw in the season opener on Friday.

The tightly-defended game in front of 917 fans at Van Andel Soccer Stadium featured only 18 combined shots. 

Head coach David Blahnik liked what he saw in the season opener from his team.

"I felt good about our depth, that we could have some rotations of guys coming in that would allow us to keep energy up and slightly change the game," Blahnik said. "Obviously we want to win. We especially want to win at home. We had opportunities there. They're one of the toughest teams in the country. 

"Sometimes you see teams that don't defend well and you get lots of shots. The reality is I think Top 20-caliber matchups in college soccer, it's often a low-shot, low-scoring match. I think both teams played well in their first game. We had some good moments. There were just five or six moments probably if we could change one touch, one touch too many or one touch less that's the difference. But they also could say the same."

Hope produced eight shots, including five on goal.

In the first half, Ohio Wesleyan keeper Mason Taylor turned away senior midfielder Ethan Jansen (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Northern) in the 22nd minute, Reece Brown in the 29th minute and Jansen again in the 41st minute.

In the second half, Taylor denied Jansen in the 62nd minute and freshman defender Caden Chenlo (East Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Grand Rapids) in the 88th minute.

Hope keeper Daniel Hesselbein delivered as well in the net. 

The junior from Barrington, Illinois (Barrington Community) recorded three saves during the first half and two during the second half.

"Dan is Mr. Reliable. He's going to show up in the big games. He's the type of guy who's always ready to go," Blahnik said. "I thought our back line was solid. We have multiple defenders at defense and rotate them in, which is very rare. I feel good about our back line and Dan going up against anybody in the country."

Hope's next game is Saturday, Sept. 2, at 6 p.m. against St. Norbert College (Wis.) from the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.