The Hope College men’s soccer team placed fourth in the 2016 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Preseason Coaches Poll.
Coach Steven Smith’s Flying Dutchmen totaled 24 points for their spots in the eight-team poll.
Defending champion Calvin was the unanimous preseason favorite after totaling all seven possible first-place votes. Coaches could not vote for their own team. Kalamazoo came in second with 13 points, while Alma was third with 21 points.
Hope is coming off a 2015 season in which the Flying Dutchmen qualified for the MIAA Tournament after placing fourth in the regular-season standings. Hope won four of its final six matches to post a 9-10-1 overall record.
The Flying Dutchmen must overcome the graduation of six seniors, including leading scorer David Porte and starting goalie Sam Barthel.
Hope kicks off the 2016 season on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 2-3 at the Ohio Wesleyan Fred Myers Invitational.
MIAA POLL
1. Calvin - 7 (7)
2. Kalamazoo – 13 (1)
3. Alma – 21
4. Hope – 24
5. Adrian – 35
6. Albion – 37
7. Trine – 40
8. Olivet – 47