Erin Brophy’s skill and unselfishness made her a big force for the Hope College women’s soccer team.
The sophomore forward from West Lafayette, Indiana (West Lafayette HS) has been selected to the 2015 All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Women’s Soccer First Team by the league’s coaches.
Brophy is one of 11 players on the All-MIAA First Team and one of six forwards to be honored. She helped the Flying Dutch post a 16-3-3 record, including a second-place, 12-1-3 mark in league matches.
Three Hope players made the All-MIAA Second Team: junior forward Elizabeth Perkins of Eaton Rapids, Michigan (Lansing Christian HS), freshman forward Rachael Braginton of Grandville, Michigan (Grandville HS) and freshman midfielder Rylie Dalton of Rockford, Michigan.
Hope coach Leigh Sears said Brophy is a dynamic playmaker who had the ability to score as well as create for others. Her offense helped the Flying Dutch match the third-most wins in school history and continue a five-year stretch with double-digit wins.
“Erin led the conference as well as our team in assists with nine,” Sears said. “She was also tied for third on the team in goals, with two of those being game winning.”
Brophy’s nine assists this season are tied for ninth-most all-time in Flying Dutch history. She matched Allison Van Beek (2006), Tina Gill (1998) and Gretchen Schoon (1997).
Seven of the Brophy’s MIAA-leading assists came during MIAA matches.
Brophy also totaled three of her five goals against league opponents. Both of her game-winning goals came against MIAA foes.
Dalton topped the Flying Dutch in goalscoring in league matches. Seven of her eight goals this season came against MIAA opponents.
“Rylie was second on the team in scoring,” Sears said. “She had three two-goal games and four game-winning goals. Her ability to not only create for herself but to set others up was an important part of our success.
Braginton netted five of her team-leading 10 goals during MIAA play. She became the ninth different Hope player to reach double-digit goals in a single season at least once during her career.
“Rachael was third in the conference with 10 goals,” Sears said. “She has an amazing ability to score from distance or at close range.”
Perkins recorded three of her five goals during league matches. One of them was a game winner. She also collected three assists.
Perkins was All-MIAA First Team in 2014.
“Elizabeth as tied for third on the team in goals with two of those being game winning,” Sears said. “She had the ability to pressure defenses with her work rate and intensity. She was also able to play multiple positions creating problems for opposing defenses.”