Jackson Early's two early first-quarter goals propelled the Hope College men's lacrosse team to a 14-10 victory at Albion College in the MIAA opener on Saturday.,

Albion tied the score twice — with four seconds left in the first quarter and 3:45 into the second quarter, but Hope answered each time and went on claim a satisfying victory.

The Flying Dutchmen raised their overall record to 7-3 while getting an early jump on the MIAA title chase. Since 2015, either Hope or Albion has captured the MIAA regular season championship. Albion has secured four titles, including last season, and Hope has three. 

Saturday's match featured the top two teams in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll. The Flying Dutchmen finished first, the Britons second.

Early (East Lansing, Michigan / East Lansing HS) scored the first of his three goals for the game 46 seconds into the contest. The sophomore struck again for a 2-0 Hope lead with 3:12 remaining in the first quarter.

Albion (2-9, 0-1 MIAA) pulled even at 2-2 before the end of the first quarter and 3-3 early in the second quarter less than a minute after junior David Brace (Plymouth, Michigan / Plymouth) scored at the 12:03 mark.

Hope, however, erupted for five more second-quarter goals for an 8-4 halftime lead. Freshman Gibson Heethuis (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) delivered both of his goals during the second quarter.

The Britons rallied for five third-quarter goals, then pulled within one on a goal 50 seconds into the fourth quarter. 

Sophomore goaltender Jack Balmforth (Livonia, Michigan / Detroit Catholic Central HS) shut out Albion the rest of the way and finished with six saves.

Early extended the lead to 12-10 with 5:34 remaining in regulation. 

Senior Michael Mann (Plymouth, Michigan / University of Detroit-Jesuit) struck 56 seconds later for the Flying Dutchmen with the second of his two goals. Sophomore Andon Rieger (Elmhurst, Illinois / York) closed the scoring at the 3:43 mark.

Junior Sam Bowen (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Eastern) chipped in two goals for Hope.

Junior Caden Brainard (Muskegon, Michigan / Reeths-Puffer) had a game-high nine ground balls and went 13-of-22 at the X for Flying Dutchmen. 

Hope returns to Van Andel Soccer Stadium on Tuesday, April 9, at 7 p.m. for a Rivalry game against Calvin University. The matchup also will be the One Love game. One Love is a national, non-profit organization with the goal of ending relationship abuse.