Jenna Mustapha quickly made her mark on the Hope College women’s soccer team as a defender.
The freshman from Ada, Michigan (Forest Hills Northern HS) contributed in a variety of ways to earn All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association honors in her first collegiate season.
Mustapha is joined by four teammates who claimed All-MIAA Second Team honors: defender Sammi Blair, forward Natalie Hammer, forward Sarah Mikesell, and midfielder Audrey White.
Mustapha started all seven games this season for the Flying Dutch and recorded one assist. The Flying Dutch shut out four opponents.
Head coach Leigh Sears said Mustapha was a great addition.
“Jenna was able to step in and contribute almost immediately,” Sears said. “She was a very calm and steady presence. She was not only dangerous with her long ball, but also with restarts and corners.”
Hammer led the Flying Dutch in scoring. The freshman from Rockford, Michigan (Rockford) scored five goals, including two game-winners.
“Natalie did an amazing job this year,” Sears said. “She continued to come off the bench and be a tireless worker constantly causing problems for the other team. She is such a positive and coachable player that she continued to get better with every game.”
Mikesell finished second in goal scoring for Hope. The junior from Norton Shores, Michigan (Mona Shores) netted two goals.
“Sarah has been a steady presence for us up top and has the ability to be dangerous on both sides of the field,” Sears said. “Her ability to take players on is excellent and she continues to grow into a strong leader for our program.”
White registered a team-high two assists this season. The senior from Hudsonville, Michigan (Hudsonville) also scored a goal, which was a game-winner.
“Audrey has been a constant for us in the middle,” Sears said. “She is a steady player who always finds a way to get it done. She has been a great leader for us and has left an amazing legacy.”
Like Mustapha, Blair bolstered the Hope defense as a back. The sophomore from Byron Center, Michigan (Forest Hills Northern) also played in six games.
“Sammi transferred in this year and was able to step into a starting position in the back,” Sears said. “Her ability to read the game as well as get forward into the attack made her a dangerous player.”