Champions

The Flying Dutchmen captured the championship of the Wilmington Kiwanis Classic in exciting fashion Saturday evening, defeating the host Quakers 3-1.

Just five minutes into the match, Karter Klingenberg slid behind the Quaker defense and served a ball to Geoff Meyer. Meyer's heel flick went past the outstretched arm of the keeper, off the post, and into the back of the net. The goal silenced a rowdy crowd and staked Hope to an early 1-0 lead that they would not relinquish.

The rest of the first half belonged to Wilmington in flow of play and statistically, yet the score remained 1-0. To begin the second half, Hope was able to get some more pressure on the Quaker goal by getting in behind the defense. Hope was delivered a blow in the 66th minute as Klingenberg challenged the keeper on a 50/50 ball. As the two players collided, the referee delieved a red card to Klingenberg, leaving Hope a man down for the final 34 minutes.

Not to be outdone by the referee's call, it took Hope only two minutes to respond with another tally. This time, Dan Tresslar had dribble penetration out on the flank, sent a driven ball in the box to be headed home by Meyer for his second tally of the match. Hope continued to battle and claw to secure the win. Goalkeeper Kevin Butterfield saved a penalty kick in the 72nd minute. A little more than a minute later, Wilmington scored on a direct kick from the top of the box.

A 2-1 score and certain momentum for Wilmington ended just 50 seconds later as Dan Tresslar picked off a Wilmington pass, dribble through three defenders and set up Devin McNeil with a perfect pass 12 yards out. McNeil put home the insurance goal ripping a left footed shot past the keeper. The final 17 minutes, Wilmington continued to press hard into the attack, but time and again, Hope's defense stood tall. A great team effort led to the victory and a successful weekend.

In addition to winning the tournament, Devin McNeil was named the most valuable defensive player for the tournament, and Geoff Meyer was named the most valuable offensive player, tallying three goals and an assist for the weekend. Hope returns to action in a tough MIAA opener at Albion College on Wednesday at 4:00 pm.