Hope goalie Kat Dickson

The Hope women’s soccer team has been recognized by National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA) for its sportsmanship.

Coach Leigh Sears’ Flying Dutch were awarded NSCAA Bronze Team Ethics Award after completing the season with only six yellow cards from officials.

The honor recognizes teams that exhibit fair play, sporting behavior and adherence to the laws of the game, as reflected by the number of yellow caution cards or red ejection cards they are shown by referees throughout the season. Bronze winners had no more than 10 cards accumulated during the season.

In all, 254 college teams received either the gold, silver or bronze version of the College Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award.

Hope posted a 16-4-1 overall record during the 2013 season. The Flying Dutch finished runner-up in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Tournament.