Saint Mary's will face its toughest opponent of the season tomorrow when it travels to Hope College, where the Belles (4-0-1) and Flying Dutch (5-0-1) will clash in an early season struggle for MIAA supremacy.
Hope is 3-0-0 in conference behind the strength of MIAA Defensive Player of the Week Holly Nestle. Nestle, a freshman, recorded a pair of shutouts last week and has just allowed one goal in her five games this season. The Flying Dutch are tied with Alma for first place in conference and have scored 16 goals while only giving up one.
"We [had] a whole week to prepare for Hope," coach Peter Haring said. "They're one of the top two teams in the conference. This is a game that - if we take what we've done up to this point - we'll be in good shape to come home with some success."
Freshman forward Carolyn Logan was considered for the Offensive Player of the Week and junior Carrie Orr the Defensive Player of the Week honors. Logan netted a hat trick versus Adrian while Orr scored a tie-salvaging goal against Calvin.
Logan continues to emerge as an early-blooming impact player. Tri-captain Jen Concannon said she is impressed by Orr's combination of offensive contributions with hustling defense.
"Carrie Orr, our sweeper, has definitely stepped up," Concannon said.
The Belles play at Hope at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow.
