A relentless second-half surge fell just short for the Hope College men's soccer team on Friday afternoon, as the Flying Dutch dropped a 2-1 decision to Transylvania University in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Tournament in Cleveland.
With the loss, Hope concludes a triumphant 2026 campaign with a 13-3-4 overall record. The season saw the Flying Dutch capture the MIAA Tournament title and make their return to the national tournament for the first time since 2024.
Transylvania (14-2-3) advanced to play host Case Western Reserve University (12-0-5) in the second round on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m.
Hope, despite controlling the run of play and outshooting the Pioneers 26-8 overall, including an 18-3 barrage over the final 45 minutes, could not fully overcome a two-goal first-half deficit.
"Our games haven't been perfect, but they left everything we have out on that field. For us, that's all we can ask for," said head coach David Blahnik.
Transylvania struck first at the 30-minute mark on Stone Work's 10th goal of the season before doubling the advantage 8:43 later on Nick Hoskins' second goal of the season. Transylvania goalkeeper Ethan Drew weathered heavy pressure throughout the afternoon, turning aside 10 shots on target, including seven in the second half, to preserve the victory for the Pioneers (14-2-3).
Hope finally broke through in the 77th minute when junior Jackson Mindling (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian HS) set up senior Seth Walters (St. Joseph, Michigan / St. Joseph) for a clinical finish that cut the deficit in half.
The strike served as Walters' team-leading 16th goal of the season, tying him with Jason Muller (2013) for the fifth-most in a single season in program history.
Furthermore, Walters finishes his illustrious collegiate career with 45 goals, tying Jerry Nyanor (1984-86) for the third-most all-time at Hope.
Following Walters' milestone goal, the Flying Dutch threw everything forward in search of an equalizer during the final 14 minutes. Hope came agonizingly close on multiple occasions, hitting the crossbar twice. First on a shot by junior Ryker Corstange (Richland, Michigan / Gull Lake) at 78:54 and again on an Eli Jarrell (Naperville, Illinois / Naperville Central) effort at 83:11.
Mindling, who matched Walters with a game-high seven shots, forced late stops from the Transylvania goalkeeper, who held the line for the remainder of the game. Senior goalkeeper Cooper Hutt (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian) finished with two saves for Hope.
