Dutch and his minions prevail over Calvin in an epic battle

Dutch, the Hope Mascot

It all happened on a very normal day,and it ended very strangely. I'll tell you the story, and you will see for yourself just how crazy it got. If you aren't from around the small towns of Holland or Grand Rapids Michigan, you will probably think it is insane.

The game took place on a beautiful day in April, just before the end of the spring semester. The sky was blue and it sun was shining brightly. It seemed like such a normal spring morning that it actually felt a bit abnormal. At Hope College's Van Andel Arena soccer field, the game taking place was anything but normal. The Hope and Calvin mascots, Dutch and the Bumbling Knight, along with their minions, were competing in an epic soccer game. It was Hope versus Calvin in a whole new environment!

It was the middle of the 2nd half, and so far Hope College was losing the game 7-1. However, they were about to have an epic comeback. Then Hope caught fire and scored 6 times to tie the game. Dutch, the Hope mascot was the goalie, and the Bumbling Knight was his counterpart in goal. Just after Hope scored to knot the game up at 7, a Knights minion named Carl came in hot. Carl took the shot, but Dutch deflected it and quickly booted it out to Bob, one of the Hope minions. Bob passed it to Dave, a seldom used defender, who took a shot from midfield and -- scored! The score was 8-7, and Hope led for the first time!

I was really proud of Dutch today., said Hope coach Gru VanGrusma. He took it on the chin a bit in the beginning stages of the game, but he showed his true orange and blue character towards the end of the game with those 2 saves on Carl and the Bumbling Knight.

The whole team displayed a lot of character, and I was really proud of them for that. Most mascots and their minions would have gotten discouraged and given up, but our team kept fighting to the very end, and it was great to see their efforts rewarded.

By now the Calvin mascot was really mad so he subbed one of his minions to be goalie and took his place on the attack. The Bumbling Knight received a pass and went in one-on-one versus Dutch. He took the shot, aiming for the left corner, but Dutch goalie deflected the shot and kicked the ball high into the air. 10 ... 9 ... 8 ... 7 ... 6 ... 5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1 ... 0! The game was over, and Hope won! I repeat -- Hope won! Another unique chapter in the storied Hope-Calvin rivalry was written.

I hope you had fun reading this crazy story.

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