by Alan Babbitt

The Hope College-Albion College men's lacrosse rivalry continues to be a back-and-forth affair.

Unfortunately for the Flying Dutchmen, they were on the disappointing end this time.

Second-seeded Albion College avenged a regular-season loss at Van Andel Soccer Stadium by winning the rematch there, 8-5, on Saturday and claiming the MIAA Tournament title as well as the league's automatic berth for the NCAA Division III Tournament.

The outcome marked the second consecutive time — and the third time in four seasons — the MIAA Tournament champion avenged the loss of the regular-season title. In 2021, it was Hope with the MIAA Tournament crown. In 2018, it was Albion.

"Give credit to Albion," head coach Michael Schanhals said. "They did a nice job of disrupting us, and we didn't adjust very well to that. We'll work on it, soak it in. We've got a heck of a young group of guys coming back. We're super proud of seniors. It's been a great run. I couldn't more proud. I'm heartbroken that I don't think I will be able to practice with them again."

While the Flying Dutchmen (15-3) are a candidate for an at-large berth in tne NCAA Division III Tournament, they are on the bubble.

There are only 10 Pool C (at-large) berths for the 38-team tournament. Unlike last season, all Division III leagues are competing in lacrosse, including national lalcrosse powerhouses out east like the NESCAC.

The NCAA field is announced on Sunday, May 8, on ncaa.com at 9 p.m.

Albion (14-4) held Hope to a season-low in goals. The Flying Dutchmen entered the game with a school-record 279 goals on the season.

The Britons never trailed after jumping to a 2-0 lead during the first quarter.

Hope evened the score twice during the second quarter. Seniors Jack Radzville (Howell, Michigan / Howell) and Zach Wiggins (Kalamazoo, Michigan / Mattawan) scored 59 seconds apart for a 2-2 tie 2 1/2 minutes in. Sophomore Michael Mann (Plymouth, Michigan / Detroit Jesuit) tied the score at 3-3 with 1:38 remaining in the quarter.

Albion's Grant Chaffee struck five seconds before halftime to give the Britons the lead for good.

The Flying Dutchmen mustered only one goal in each of the final two quarters: Wiggins in the third quarter and freshman Sam Bowen (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Eastern) in the fourth quarter.

Senior Ian Bosman (Centennial, Colorado / Cherry CreeK) collected 10 saves for Hope. Albion goalie Jack Gogonis made 14 saves. 

Senior Cole Scheffler (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) won 13-of-16 face-offs for the Flying Dutchmen.

Hope's 15 wins ties a school record.