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Caden Brainard runs upfield with possession after a faceoff vs. Albion.
Lynne Powe
Pictured, Caden Brainard
8
Albion ALBION 5-7, 0-1
15
Winner Hope HOPE 6-4, 1-0
Albion ALBION
5-7, 0-1
8
Final
15
Hope HOPE
6-4, 1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Albion ALBION 1 1 2 4 8
Hope HOPE 6 3 2 4 15

Game Recap: Men's Lacrosse | | Alan Babbitt

Caden Brainard Ignites Men's Lacrosse in 15-8 Victory vs. Albion

The senior scores six seconds into the MIAA opener on Thursday.

Caden Brainard needed just seconds to declare the Hope College men's lacrosse team's readiness for another showdown against Albion College.

The senior from Muskegon, Michigan (Reeths-Puffer HS) won the opening faceoff, charged upfield with possession, and scored in six seconds Thursday at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.

Brainard's third goal of the season ignited a game-opening, five-goal run for the Flying Dutchmen, who soared past the Britons, 15-8, in the MIAA opener.

Hope (6-4) stayed hot, stretching a season-best winning streak to five games and defeating Albion for the fourth consecutive time. The two teams have combined for the past nine MIAA regular-season championships.

Brainard fueled the fire after his game-opening goal by blasting the Britons at a 75% clip on faceoffs in the first quarter (6-8). The Flying Dutchmen turned extra possessions into a 5-1 lead heading into the second quarter.

Head coach Michael Schanhals said Hope fed off Brainard's play and leadership during the matchup of the top two teams in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.

"We've got possession. We got time on the shot clock we're able to burn down, Our defense is fresher," Schanhals said of the impact of Brainard's early dominance at the X. "Caden's a senior. He's such a leader for us. His emotion, energy and passion for the game radiate out to everybody. You could tell on the sideline guys were just fired up. That's a credit to Caden."

Brainard finished with a 70% success rate on faceoffs (14-20) and scooped up a game-high 13 ground balls.

After Brainard scored, three of his teammates joined the scoring party for a 6-1 lead after 15 minutes of play. Junior Jackson Early (East Lansing, Michigan / East Lansing) and sophomore Gibson Heethuis (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) delivered two goals apiece during the decisive stretch, while senior David Brace (Plymouth, Michigan / Plymouth) struck once.

Albion (5-7, 0-1) never pulled closer than four goals.

Heethuis topped Hope with four goals apiece. Early and senior Nick McCreery (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) chipped in three apiece.

In addition to a balanced offensive attack, the Flying Dutchmen also posted a dynamic defensive performance.

Hope allowed only two first-half goals, one in each quarter. The Flying Dutchmen did not give up more than five shots in a single quarter and recorded 18 caused turnovers.

Junior goalkeeper Jack Balmforth (Livonia, Michigan / Detroit Catholic Central) needed to make only seven saves for Hope.

Considering the pressure from familiar high stakes,  Schanhals was proud of how his team flourished.

"It's the first one and traditionally has been the biggest one. We were fired up and ready to go get into it," Schanhals said. "It's been a really good season so far. We pushed ourselves to the breaking point but put ourselves back together in March. We have to keep this momentum going through April.

"This is a really tough game. Any time you line up against Albion, they're going to fight for every loose ball. They're not going to give you anything; you have to take it from them. I'm proud of our guys. They made it happen for themselves."

Hope is back in action on Saturday, April 5, at 1 p.m. at Calvin University.
 
Gallery: (4-3-2025) Men's Lacrosse vs. Albion

 
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