Freshman Gibson Heethuis scored twice during the final two minutes of regulation for the Hope College men's lacrosse team to secure a 14-13 victory at Aurora University (Ill.) on Wednesday night near Chicago.
The attacker from Hudsonville, Michigan (Hudsonville HS) snapped a 12-12 tie at the 1:55 mark of the fourth quarter, then gave the Flying Dutchmen a critical two-goal lead with 29 seconds remaining.
Aurora won the faceoff after the second goal from Heethuis and scored with 14 seconds remaining. A Hope penalty during Ben Strub's goal for the Spartans put the Flying Dutchmen a man down, but sophomore midfielder Liam Belote (Saline, Michigan / Saline) won the last faceoff.
Hope improved to 3-2 overall after playing in a game decided by one goal for the third consecutive time. Aurora fell to 1-3.
Heethuis finished with a game-high six goals after totaling five during his first four matches for the Flying Dutchmen.
During the first quarter, Heethuis scored three times to stake Hope to an early 6-1 lead.
The Flying Dutchmen then led 10-3 at halftime, but Aurora's offense erupted in the second half and finally drew even at 12-12 on Owen Spencer's goal with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
The game-winner from Heethuis came after he picked a ground ball following a failed Aurora clear attempt and scored 21 seconds later.
Heethuis delivered Hope's final goal after junior midfielder Owen Mueller (Traverse City, Michigan / St. Francis) created a turnover and scooped up a ground ball with 1:40 remaining.
The Flying Dutchmen worked the clock before Heethuis gave them a two-goal lead.
Junior attacker Sam Bowen (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Eastern) chipped in three goals and a team-best two assists for Hope.
The Flying Dutchmen also received one goal apiece from Belote, seniors Michael Mann (Plymouth, Michigan / University of Detroit-Jesuit) and
Blaine Hynde (Muskegon, Michigan / Reeths-Puffer), and sophomores
Jack McNamara (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Central) and
Will Tobias (San Diego, California / St. Augustine).
Hope outshot the Spartans, 46-41. Sophomore goalkeeper Jack Balmforth (Livonia, Michigan / Detroit Catholic Central) recorded 13 saves for the Flying Dutchmen, including four during the fourth quarter.
Aurora received three goals apiece from Tyler Foerstel, Carson Leader and Owen Spencer.
Hope's next game is Wednesday, March 13, at 5 p.m. at Virginia Wesleyan University.
