Hope College’s women’s soccer team edged past Simpson College 1-0 in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament on Friday, November 13. Alexis Suptela scored the only goal, assisted by Halle Barnard, securing the win that sends the Flying Dutch into the next round.
Clara Feenstra contributed with three saves in goal, helping preserve the clean sheet. With the victory, Hope improved their season record to 14-3-2 and will face No. 3 seed Washington University (WashU) at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
The men’s soccer team had a different outcome on the same day, falling 2-1 to Transylvania (Ky.) in their NCAA Division III Tournament opener. Transylvania scored twice in the first half, and despite Hope’s Seth Walters pulling one back in the 76th minute with an assist from Jackson Mindling, the Flying Dutch could not find an equalizer. Goalkeeper Cooper Hutt made two saves during the match. The men finished their season at 13-3-4, having won the MIAA Tournament earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Hope’s volleyball team secured a spot in the MIAA final with a 3-0 win over Albion. The set scores were 33-31, 25-20, and 25-10. Kiera Morrison led the attack with 11 kills, while Kamryn Burbridge added nine. Brooke Hehl provided 21 assists, and Kathryn Oates contributed 16 digs. Burbridge and Hehl earned first-team All-MIAA honors, with Angie Butler and Oates named to the second team. Calvin’s Tryna VanderZwaag, from Holland Christian, was named MIAA Defensive Player of the Year. Hope will meet Calvin in the final on Saturday.
This weekend’s results give Hope’s women’s soccer team a clear path forward in the NCAA tournament, moving on to face a high-ranked opponent in WashU. The men’s team concluded their season with a narrow tournament loss, while the volleyball team advances to compete for the MIAA title.
According to Yahoo Sports.
