Despite creating a relentless sequence of offensive pressure in the closing minutes, the Hope College men's soccer team walked away with a 1-1 draw at Albion College in Wednesday night's MIAA opener.
After a scoreless opening 45 minutes where the Flying Dutch outshot Albion 6-4 and forced four first-half saves, the Flying Dutch finally broke the deadlock in the second half.
In the 65tth minute, forward junior Jackson Mindling (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian HS) found the back of the net off an assist from junior Ryker Corstange (Richland, Michigan / Gull Lake) to give Hope a 1-0 lead. The goal marked Mindling's sixth tally of the season.
Albion capitalized on an own Hope goal in the 68th minute to level the score.
Hope pressed heavily for a late winner in the final minutes, racking up five second-half corner kicks and hitting the left woodwork on a attempt by senior Seth Walters (St. Joseph, Michigan / St. Joseph) at 89:51, but the Britons held firm through the final whistle.
With the result, Hope moved to 7-1-2 overall and 0-0-1 in MIAA play, while Albion moved to 4-4-2 overall and 0-0-1 in conference play.
Walters led the Flying Dutch attack with a game-high six shots, including three on target.
Goalkeeper Cooper Hutt (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian) played all 90 minutes in goal for Hope, recording two saves.
Albion keeper Tom Veresh totaled five saves.
Hope stays on the road this weekend, taking on Adrian College on Saturday, Oct. 10m at 4 p.m.
