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The Hope College men’s soccer team is determined to keep the ball rolling after a breakthrough 2024 season.

The Flying Dutchmen want to build on a successful campaign that included an MIAA title share and the first NCAA Division III Tournament victory in 11 years. Hope finished with a 14-3-3 overall record, including a 5-0-2 mark in MIAA play.

Despite graduating a talented senior class, head coach David Blahnik sees a lot of promise ahead for the team that narrowly finished runner-up in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.

“I think we can do both. We can acknowledge the seniors last year that we would not have been successful without, while still talking about the returning players we have and new freshmen we have,” Blahnik said. “We absolutely believe we can have the best season with them. The idea is not to replace guys, but rather have the returning guys be the best version of themselves, which gives us a chance to win again.”

 

ROSTER
The Flying Dutchmen’s roster of 32 features seven seniors, 11 juniors, seven sophomores and seven freshmen.

Three All-MIAA standouts return, including:


Senior forward Seth Walters (St. Joseph, Michigan / St. Joseph HS), a two-time All-MIAA honoree who also made the United Soccer Coaches All-Region VIII Second Team;
Sophomore forward Jackson Mindling (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian), a First Team selection in his debut collegiate season;
Junior midfielder Josh Weigel (Naperville, Illinois / North Central HS), a two-time All-MIAA pick who strengthens the midfield.

Walters and Mindling shared team goal scoring honors with 12 apiece. It was a career-high for Walters. Weigel finished second on the team with four assists.

Six more goal scorers are back for Hope, including junior Grant Hassenrik (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian), who placed fourth on the team with four goals.

 

COACHING STAFF
Head coach: David Blahnik, 4th season
Assistant coaches: Connor Fowler, Cory Miller, Chris Taborn
 
SCHEDULE
Three of Hope’s first four opponents made the NCAA Tournament in either 2024 and 2023.

The Flying Dutchmen kick off the season with two games at home at Van Andel Soccer Stadium: Friday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m. vs. Ohio Wesleyan University and Saturday, Aug. 30, at 3 p.m. vs. Milwaukee School of Engineering.

Hope then plays at Illinois Tech on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 7 p.m. Central and hosts Ohio Northern University on Friday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. 

Other non-conference highlights include the Orange and Blue Weekend and Poster Giveaway Game against Grove City College (Pennsylvania) on Friday, Sept. 29, at 6:30 p.m. and the first game against the University of Notre Dame on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m. 

The Flying Dutchmen start MIAA play on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. at home against Calvin University.

Hope will host a Purple Community Game benefitting Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. against Kalamazoo College at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.

Senior Day is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. against Alma College.

“I think it’s an extremely challenging non-conference schedule in a good way,” Blahnik said. “We want to win every game, but the goals we have set are to challenge ourselves in the right way. I’m not concerned because I really believe in our guys’ commitment, showing up every day, even if the results last night were what we wanted, to make sure we’re ready for the conference and hopefully the postseason.”

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