On a radiant afternoon at Van Andel Soccer Stadium, the Hope College women's soccer team added another memorable moment to its season, celebrating 11 remarkable seniors and delivering a thrilling 3-2 victory over Kalamazoo College on Saturday.

With the victory, Hope (11-3-2, 6-1 MIAA) clinched the No. 2 seed in the MIAA Tournament and earned a first-round bye into the semifinals on November 4. 

Before kickoff, the Flying Dutch honored seniors Tess Bainbridge (Byron Center, Michigan / Byron Center HS), Liz Bellinger (Williamston, Michigan / Williamston), Avery Coykendall (Plymouth, Michigan / Canton), Olivia Dieppa (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville), Lauren Ellinger (Fishers, Indiana / Fishers), Grace Fowler (Cumming, Georgia / Pinecrest Academy), Claudia Folkert (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Central), Ainsley Harris (Zeeland, Michigan / Holland Christian), Megan McCauley (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford), Sophie Novak (Haslett, Michigan / Haslett), and Lina Rea (Macomb, Michigan / Utica). 

A senior group whose leadership, passion, and unity have shaped the very identity of the program.

"To lead together among 11 different personalities is really hard," head coach Holly Van Noord reflected. "But it's been fun seeing them come together to be on one page as a class."

Van Noord called them the heartbeat of Hope soccer and a class defined by a competitive spirit and drive. Their influence, she said, runs deeper than talent. 

"They're willing to run through a brick wall for this team and program to do whatever it takes," Van Noord said.

On the field, that relentless spirit was on full display. 

Kalamazoo struck first in the 12th minute, but the Flying Dutch refused to waver. In the 17th minute, after an intentional hand ball in the box, Dieppa stepped to the penalty spot and coolly found the right corner to even the score. Kalamazoo (9-5-4, 3-2-3) played the remainder of the match down a player with only 10 on the field.

Five minutes later, Harris soared through traffic to head home a pinpoint corner from sophomore Adelyn Raad (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville), sending the home crowd to its feet.

The Hornets equalized again late in the half, but Hope's response was instant and emphatic. With precision and poise, Dieppa delivered her second goal on a perfectly placed shot to the top right corner after sharp passing from freshman Joanna Namel (South Lyon, Michigan / Saint Catherine of Siena Academy) and Raad. 

Dieppa's finish restored Hope's lead before halftime, and the defense made sure it stood.

The Orange and Blue dominated the second half in both possession and purpose, outshooting Kalamazoo 25–6 and dictating play until the final whistle. 

Hope concludes the regular season on Tuesday, Oct. 28, against Saint Mary's at Van Andel Soccer Stadium at 4 p.m.