by Alan Babbitt

Unexpectedly down a defensive stalwart and a team leader early in an MIAA showdown, the Hope College men's lacrosse team didn't flinch.

The Flying Dutchmen rose to the challenge and turned back defending league champion Albion College on Tuesday, winning at Van Andel Soccer Stadium, 18-13.

In a matchup of the top two teams in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, Hope overcame an injury to senior defender Tucker Martinez in the first half and allowed only five second-half goals to the Britons.

Hope improved to 9-2 on the season and 1-0 in MIAA play, while dropping Albion to 8-4 overall and 1-1 in MIAA games.

"Tucker wouldn't allow us to lose. His leadership, he's been a rock for our team for four years," head coach Michael Schanhals said. "We knew at halftime he wasn't going to be able to continue playing together. The guys straight up said 'We're doing this for 20.' They did a great job, especially on the ground ball game."

Facing a lineup with two of the MIAA's leading goal scorers, including a 60-goal scorer, the Flying Dutchmen only yielded two goals over the final 20 minutes.

Senior goalie Ian Bosman (Centennial, Colorado / Cherry Creek), pictured left, made 15 saves for Hope. The Flying Dutchmen had eight caused turnovers, one for eight different players.

Hope's offense shifted into high gear down the stretch, breaking an 11-11 tie with 1:11 remaining in the third quarter with goals from seniors Brian Bera (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) and Jack Radzville (Brighton, Michigan / Brighton) within a 15-second span.

After Albion scored 62 seconds into the fourth quarter, the Flying Dutchmen ripped off the next four goals over a span of 8 1/2 minutes. Junior Alex Goodall (Clarkston, Michigan / Lutheran Northwest), pictured right, sandwiched goals around goals from Radzville and senior Zach Wiggins (Kalamazoo, Michigan / Mattawan), to extend Hope's lead to 16-12 with 4:40 remaining.

"We're pretty explosive when we want to be, too," Schanhals said. "It was pretty nice to get some transition stuff on them because they feast on that. We were able to hunt in the early part of the possession and get some quick goals. Those are momentum-type goals that can fire up a team."

Radzville registered a team-high six goals and three assists.

Wiggins and sophomore Michael Mann (Plymouth, Michigan / Detroit Jesuit) chipped in three goals apiece.

Sam Puzevic topped Albion with four goals. Jace Conley, who entered the game with an MIAA-leading 62 goals, collected three goals.

The Flying Dutchmen also helped their cause by finishing plus-five in faceoffs. Face-off get-off specialist Cole Scheffler (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) topped Hope with nine groundballs and turned one of them into his second goal of the season.

Watch Instagram interview with Cole Scheffler

Hope's next game is Saturday, April 16, at 1 p.m. at Trine University.