Women's Soccer Finishes Runner-Up in MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

The Hope College women's soccer team is projected to be in the thick of the 2025 MIAA title chase this fall.

The Flying Dutch placed second in the nine-team MIAA Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll with one first-place vote and 15 points.

Coaches could not vote for their own teams. Defending champion Calvin University was the unanimous favorite with eight first-place votes and eight points. Adrian College (25) finished third and was followed by Trine University (26), Albion College (40), Kalamazoo College (44), Saint Mary's College (45), Alma College (60) and the University of Olivet (61).

Led by second-year head coach Holly Van Noord, Hope opens the season at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, against the Milwaukee School of Engineering at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.

Hope is coming off a 12-4-2 season in 2024 that included a second-place, 6-1-1 finish in the MIAA.

Senior midfielder Ainsley Harris is among the Flying Dutch's top returners. The Zeeland, Michigan, native (Holland Christian HS) is a two-time All-MIAA honoree who earned United Soccer Coaches All-Region VIII Third Team recognition last season.

Sophomore defender Mia Hesley (Portage, Michigan / Portage Central) also returns after collecting All-Region VIII Third Team honors. She was voted the 2024 MIAA Newcomer of the Year in women's soccer.

Three seniors who earned All-MIAA recognition last season bolster Hope's lineup:

Liz Bellinger, midfielder (Williamston, Michigan / Williamston);
Olivia Dieppa, defender and two-time All-MIAA honoree (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville);
Grace Fowler, midfielder (Cumming, Georgia / Pinecrest Academy).

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Players Mentioned

#19 Liz Bellinger: M; 5' 4"; Senior; Physical Education/Health

#11 Olivia Dieppa: D; 5' 8"; Senior; Exercise Science

#4 Grace Fowler: M; 5' 2"; Senior; Exercise Science

#22 Ainsley Harris: M; 5' 5"; Senior; Physical and Health Education and Secondary Education

#15 Mia Hesley: D; 5' 8"; Sophomore; Exercise Science

Players Mentioned

#19 Liz Bellinger
: 5' 4"; Senior; Physical Education/Health
: M

#11 Olivia Dieppa
: 5' 8"; Senior; Exercise Science
: D

#4 Grace Fowler
: 5' 2"; Senior; Exercise Science
: M

#22 Ainsley Harris
: 5' 5"; Senior; Physical and Health Education and Secondary Education
: M

#15 Mia Hesley
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; Exercise Science
: D