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Michael Schanhals talks to two Hope men's lacrosse players on the field.
Lynne Powe
Pictured, from left, David Brace, Michael Schanhals and Sam Bowen
5
Trine TRINE 11-5, 1-4
8
Winner Hope HOPE 10-4, 5-0
Trine TRINE
11-5, 1-4
5
Final
8
Hope HOPE
10-4, 5-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Trine TRINE 2 1 1 1 5
Hope HOPE 0 3 4 1 8

Game Recap: Men's Lacrosse | | Alan Babbitt

Men's Lacrosse Stifles Trine on Senior Day, Claims Share of Fifth MIAA Regular-Season Title

Locked into a series challenge from an 11-win opponent, the Hope College men's lacrosse team pounced on an extended man-up opportunity late in the third quarter.

The Flying Dutchmen scored twice after Trine University was called for a two-minute non-releaseable penalty, providing the separation needed to earn an 8-5 Senior Day victory on Saturday in front of a season-high home crowd of 401.

Hope (10-5 overall) improved to 5-0 in MIAA play and clinched at least a share of a fifth league championship.

The second MIAA championship repeat in program history — and second in five years — also secured the Orange and Blue the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye for the upcoming MIAA Tournament.

The Flying Dutchmen will have home-field advantage at Van Andel Soccer Stadium for the MIAA Tournament that runs Saturday-Friday, April 26-May 2. 

Hope can wrap up an outright league title on Wednesday, April 23, at 7 p.m. at Alma College. 

Before the game, the Flying Dutchmen honored 12 seniors: Reese Bentley (Holland, Michigan / West Ottawa HS), Caden Brainard (Muskegon, Michigan / Reeths-Puffer), Sam Bowen (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Eastern), David Brace (Plymouth, Michigan / Plymouth), Owen Claar (Birmingham, Michigan / Seaholm), Samuel Haensly (Seabrook, Texas / Clear Falls), Blaine Hynde (Muskegon, Michigan / Reeths-Puffer), Freddy Kopplow (Traverse City, Michigan / Traverse City Saint Francis), Andrew Lanham (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford), Nick McCreery (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford), Owen Mueller (Traverse City, Michigan / Saint Francis) and Luke Wierengo (Northville, Michigan / Northville).

Trine (11-5, 1-4 MIAA) made the Orange and Blue earn their prize, shutting out the Flying Dutchmen in the first quarter and grabbing a 2-0 lead. Hope broke through in the second quarter, but the score was tied at halftime at 3-3.

Goals from juniors Jackson Early (East Lansing, Michigan / East Lansing) and Andon Rieger (Elmhurst, Illinois / York) 50 seconds apart early in the second half gave the Orange and Blue their first two-goal lead.

Trine's Will Gonia struck with 4:57 remaining in the third quarter to pull the Thunder back within a goal. Less than a minute later, a hit-to-the-head call created a two-minute, man-up opportunity for the Flying Dutchmen.

The two teams traded caused turnovers before Early, Hope's only multiple goal scorer, delivered his second goal at the 3:23 mark by converting an assist from Bowen.

Brainard won the faceoff, setting the stage for McCreery to bury another man-up, his team-leading 24th of the season, off an assist from sophomore Gibson Heethuis (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville).

Hope's defense held firm, not allowing another goal until one minute remaining in the fourth quarter. The Flying Dutchmen matched their best defensive performance in a league game, equaling the five goals allowed at Calvin University on March 5.

Junior goalkeeper Jack Balmforth (Livonia, Michigan / Detroit Catholic Central) made a game-high nine saves. Collin Custer led Trine with a game-best three goals.

Three Orange and Blue defenders recorded multiple caused turnovers: junior Will Jewell (Northville, Michigan / Detroit Catholic Central) with a season-high six, junior John Foster (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Central) with four, and junior Liam Belote (Saline, Michigan / Saline) and Wierengo with three apiece.
Gallery: (4-19-2025) Men's Lacrosse vs. Trine

 
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