The Hope College women's soccer team played to a 2-2 tie on the road at Kalamazoo College on Saturday.
The Flying Dutch (10-3-2, 5-1-1 MIAA) remained in second place in the MIAA standings with 16 points after earning one point with the draw.
Hope leads third-place Adrian College and Trine University by three points. Adrian hosts Albion College tonight at 7 p.m.
The regular-season finale is next week. The Flying Dutch play on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 4 p.m. at Saint Mary's College and could clinch a first-round bye with a victory.
On Saturday, Hope held a 23-7 advantage in shots and a 13-1 edge in corner kicks, but a late tying goal from the Hornets spoiled the Flying Dutch's bid for a victory.
The Flying Dutch led the game for 72 of 90 minutes.
Junior Liz Bellinger (Williamston, Michigan / Williamston HS) put Hope on the board in the 18th minute. It was Bellinger's second goal of the season.
Junior Ainsley Harris (Zeeland, Michigan / Holland Christian) swiped the ball from the Kalamazoo defender and gained speed up the field towards the net. Harris poked a pass to the center of the box, where Bellinger was waiting, and fired a shot into the lower left corner of the net.
Kalamazoo (5-11-1, 2-5-1 MIAA) evened the score just 38 seconds into the second half on Sydney Hageman's fifth goal of the season.
Hope answered nine minutes later.
Freshman Mia Hesley (Portage, Michigan / Portage Central) found a streaking Sophie Novak (Haslett, Michigan / Haslett) through the center of the field. Novak dropped the ball off at the top of the box for sophomore Halle Barnard (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford).
Barnard shook off her defender and sent the ball back to Novak, who rifled a shot over the head of the Kalamazoo goalkeeper for a 2-1 led. It was Novak's first goal of the season.
Hope remained ahead until the 82nd minute. After a drop ball in a dangerous position, Kalamazoo gained possession and sped towards the box.
Senior goalkeeper Kendall Robertson challenged the Hornets player, unsuccessfully, but was called for a foul on the play, which led to a penalty kick.
Robertson (Jackson, Michigan / Western) swiftly blocked the attempt from Kalamazoo's Ruby Hogan which knocked up to the upper goal post and back out to the foot of Hogan, who tapped in the Hornets' second and game-tying goal.
Robertson made four saves in net for the Flying Dutch.
