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Head coach Michael Schanhals watches a lacrosse game from the sidelines at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.
6
Aurora AURORA 2-1
9
Winner Hope HOPE 1-1
Aurora AURORA
2-1
6
Final
9
Hope HOPE
1-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Aurora AURORA 1 2 1 2 6
Hope HOPE 0 3 4 2 9

Game Recap: Men's Lacrosse | | Alan Babbitt

Men's Lacrosse Tops Aurora, Earns 100th win as an NCAA Program

On the same Hope College campus where he once dreamed big for his then-club lacrosse team, head coach Michael Schanhals '91 relished a milestone-achieving night for his now varsity program.

The Flying Dutchmen recorded their 100th victory as an NCAA Division III program on Wednesday night by defeating Aurora University (Illinois), 9-6.

While just 146 games and 11 seasons into the making, the memorable moment began much earlier, Schanhals said.

"I have been thinking about this since I was 19 years old," said Schanhals, who played goalie and attack for the Flying Dutchmen club lacrosse team. In 2005, he was named head coach at Hope. In 2013, he oversaw the team's transition to an NCAA program.

"To have the opportunity to do this and be here tonight is emotional. My wife, Elizabeth (Meyers '91) is here. She was playing field hockey here when we met. She's been through so much. She's had my back the whole time. I'm so grateful for her, for her patience, and for her constant encouragement."

On Wednesday, the Flying Dutchmen bounced back from a tough 12-11 loss to Elmhurst University (Ill.) in the season opener on Saturday. This time, Hope preserved a late two-goal lead at Van Andel Soccer Stadium before senior midfielder Colin Stecco (East Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Grand Rapids) scored the final goal with 1 minute, 6 seconds remaining.

Stecco shared team-high scoring honors with junior attacker Michael Mann (Plymouth, Michigan / University of Detroit Jesuit). Both registered three goals. Sophomore attacker Michael Mann (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Eastern) added two.

Hope shut out Aurora (2-1) over the final 9-plus minutes of the game. Senior goalkeeper John Shea (Commerce Township, Michigan / Detroit Catholic Central) made 13 saves.

Junior defender Michael Mileski (Inverness, Illinois / William Fremd) said reaching the 100-win milestone was significant.

"It's huge for us, very important considering what everybody's been through, even before we came here, players, coaches," Mileski said. "They put in a lot of work to make us an NCAA team, this great team we are today. We keep playing for them. These victories are all for them."

Watch Instagram interview with Michael Mileski

Schanhals emotionally reflected all those who helped bring the Flying Dutchmen to the 100-win mark.

"There are so many people," said Schanhals, happy tears welling in his eyes. "Jim Budde, one of the guys I played with, helped get this thing started. He coached, ran the box and welded goals. Steve Norden was here tonight. Dave Martin was here in the MCLA days. There are so many people who have gone to the mat for us time and time again. Our administration coming through and fighting for us, wanting us to be part of the whole experience here. Coaches like Chris Scheldt, athletic trainers like Tonia Gruppen, we're grateful for all of them.

"It's been rolling now. These are program wins. These are our wins."

While basking in a memorable moment for his lacrosse program, Schanhals also was thrilled for this year's team.

"It's a great group. They are cool people. They work hard. They study hard," Schanhals said. "They're doing it the right way. The process is most important to them. They get after it every day. It was really good for us to test ourselves against an outstanding program in Aurora."

Hope's next game is Saturday, March 4, at 1 p.m. against Carthage College (Wis.) at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.
 
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