Ahoy, the Hope College men's lacrosse team wouldn't let the Pirates of Southwestern University (Texas) do any pillaging on its turf.

The Flying Dutchmen started each half on the attack and produced the offense needed to earn an 18-10 victory on Friday at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.

Sharing the ball like a good mate, the Flying Dutchmen struck for the first three goals of the first half and the first five goals of the second half.  Hope's first game against Southwestern from the Southern Athletic Association was a successful one. 

"When we made those runs everybody's heads were turning. The ball's moving, moving, then boom into the net," head coach Michael Schanhals said. "It was so nice to see the team come out, make the extra pass, share the work, share the ball with each other,  then execute and put it in the back of the net."

Two goals from sophomore attacker Sam Bowen (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Eastern) and one from senior attacker Colin Stecco (East Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Grand Rapids) launched Hope to a 3-0 lead 4 minutes, 42 seconds into the game.

Southwestern narrowed the Flying Dutchmen lead to 8-6 by halftime. Hope sailed away at the start of the third quarter, burying five goals in a span of 5 ½ minutes for a 13-6 lead.

Junior Michael Mann (Plymouth, Michigan / Detroit Jesuit) scored twice during the decisive run. Sophomore midfielder David Brace (Plymouth, Michigan / Plymouth) also scored, as did Bowen and Stecco.

Schanhals, whose team was playing its final non-league game, likes how his team is performing heading into MIAA play.

"I think we've learned to be consistent and we're connecting on passes much better going full-speed," Schanhals said. "We're running the field really well right now, making the extra pass, then creating situations for us. We've feasted on unsettled situations.

"That's a good team on the other side of the field. We have a ton of respect for them. To win the way we won, that's a good feeling for sure."

Hope (6-4 overall) enters MIAA play on a three-game winning streak.

The Flying Dutchmen have outscored opponents 55-27 during the stretch.

Southwestern (7-6) received three goals apiece from Cade McDonald and Tommy Saueressig.

Bowen and Mann shared game-high honors with five goals apiece. Bowen also recorded two assists; Mann one.

Stecco finished with four goals and four assists.

Brace chipped in three goals and one assist.

Schanhals is looking forward to what lies next for the Flying Dutchmen.

"We just are trying to get a little better each day, doing the things we can control," Schanhals said. "We're very talented. Now we're putting it together. You can see that on the field for sure. You can see us confidently defending, too. Our defense was excellent against a very talented, scoring team. John Shea played outstanding in goal."