The seventh-ranked Hope College men's soccer team emerged victorious and dry after Saturday's matchup against The University of Olivet.
Thunderstorms and a determined opponent threatened the Flying Dutchmen at Van Andel Soccer Stadium, but neither upset the home squad.
A 1-0 win over the Comets, who knocked Hope out of the MIAA Tournament last season with a one-goal decision in the quarterfinals, gave the Orange and Blue its first league-play win.
Head coach David Blahnik credited his team's persistence for the victory.
"Every MIAA game is a tough one, and you have to take the wins when you can get them," Blahnik said. "This is a gritty Olivet team who is really hard to break down defensively and is great at the counter attack."
The Flying Dutchmen (9-1-2, 1-0-1 MIAA) had multiple chances throughout the game, including two shots that banged off of the goal post against Olivet (5-5-1, 0-1-1),
Senior Mario Hrvojevic (Lincolnwood, Illinois / Loyola Academy HS), junior Seth Walters (St. Joseph, Michigan / St. Joseph) and sophomore Michael Dietz (Eaton Rapids, Michigan / Eaton Rapids) each tapped the goal post with shots: Hrvojevic with a bicycle kick, Walters with a strong strike, and Dietz with a soaring backwards bicycle kick.
Sophomore Alan Alcala (Kalamazoo, Michigan / Kalamazoo Central) was the lone goal scorer after a mostly Hope controlled possession.
Fifth-year senior Jake Lyon (Marshall, Michigan / Marshall) started the decisive sequence by sending the ball toward the net. Walters soared a shot towards the goal off the pass from Lyon, but it was blocked by a Comet defender.
Alcala picked up the rebound and sent a one-time shot back at the net. Olivet's goalkeeper could not get there in time, sending Alcala in to a full-team celebration onto the sideline, jumping fist pump and all.
"Alan continues to give us a spark and create dangerous opportunities, and I am happy for him that he was able to get the goal today," Blahnik said. "His work rate, attitude, and selflessness is contagious, and was really able to make an impact for us."
Senior goalkeeper Daniel Hesselbein (Barrington, Illinois / Barrington Community) earned the shutout through two saves.
The Flying Dutchmen kick off again on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. at Kalamazoo College.
