by Alan Babbitt

After honoring 13 seniors, the Hope College men's lacrosse team added to the talented group's growing legacy.

The Flying Dutchmen claimed at least a share of their third MIAA championship and the top seed for next week's league tournament with a 23-7 victory against Alma College on Tuesday at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.

Hope (13-2, 5-0 MIAA) can clinch an outright championship on Friday, April 29, at 7 p.m. at Calvin University.

Photo of Sean Cunningham (10) by Lynne Powe

Seeking their third MIAA title since 2018, the Flying Dutchmen seized control against Alma by scoring the final six goals of the first quarter for an 8-2 lead. Seniors Brian Bera, Jack Radzville, and Zach Wiggins all scored during the decisive stretch.

Hope also held Alma scoreless for the final 10 1/2 minutes of the period.

Wiggins (Kalamazoo, Michigan / Mattawan HS) and sophomore Michael Mann (Plymouth, Michigan / Detroit Jesuit) each finished with a game-high five goals for the Flying Dutchmen.

Mann also registered a game-high five assists. 

Wiggins became the fifth Hope student-athlete to reach the 50-goal mark in a season. 

The psychology major now has 51 goals and joined Gunnar Elder (64 in 2016), Luke Elder (63 in 2021), Radzville (56 in 2021), and Rocco Mularoni (53 in 2018).

Radzville (Howell, Michigan / Howell) contributed four goals and three assists. The electrical engineering major needs one more assist to become the second member of the Flying Dutch to reach 100 career assists.

Senior Ethan Pinto (Caledonia, Michigan / Caledonia) chipped in two goals, as did freshman Sam Bowen (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Eastern).

Hope's 23 goals are a season-high and marked the Flying Dutchmen's fifth 20-goal game of the season.

Senior goalie Ian Bosman (Centennial, Colorado / Cherry Creek) earned the win after recording six saves and allowing five goals in 39 minutes, 51 seconds of play. 

Junior John Shea (Commerce Township, Michigan / Detroit Catholic Central) made one save and yielded two goals over the final 20:09.