2026 Men's Lacrosse Season Preview

Head coach Michael Schanhals is confident his Hope College men's lacrosse team has the right blend for another championship-contending spring season.

The Flying Dutchmen, who repeated as MIAA regular-season champions for the second time in program history last season, are counting on contributions from all four classes as they begin the 2026 season.

"We have a really exciting mix of veterans and rookies. We are getting a lot of energy from both," said Schanhals, who is in his 14th season as head coach.

Hope is coming off an 11-5 season. The Flying Dutchmen are motivated after falling to Trine University in the semifinals of the 2025 MIAA Tournament.

"We have a little bit of a chip on our shoulder; last season did not finish how we wanted it to," Schanhals said. "After that game, you examine every little thing you do. Our guys have been really receptive and focused on how they're approaching their daily work."

ROSTER

The Flying Dutchmen's roster of 42 features 12 seniors, two juniors, 12 sophomores and 16 freshmen.

Hope returns five All-MIAA selections from a team that repeated as MIAA regular-season champion with a 6-0 league record.

Attacker Gibson Heethuis (Hudsonville, Michigan/Hudsonville) is a two-time All-MIAA honoree who made the first team last season as a sophomore.

Defender John Foster (Ada, Michigan/Forest Hills Central) earned All-MIAA honors for the second time in 2025 as a junior, receiving first-team recognition for the first time.

Midfielder Jackson Early (East Lansing, Michigan/East Lansing) earned his second consecutive All-MIAA honor in 2025 as a junior after being a first-team selection as a sophomore.

Defender Will Jewell (Northville, Michigan/Detroit Catholic Central) received All-MIAA honors for the first time last season as a junior with a second-team selection.

Goalie Jack Balmforth (Livonia, Michigan/Detroit Catholic Central) earned All-MIAA honors for the second consecutive season in 2025 as a junior after being a first-team pick as a sophomore.

"We want to be the complete package," Schanhals said. "We want to make things rough for our opponents and take care of every little detail. We want to keep having each other's backs."

COACHING STAFF

Head coach: Michael Schanhals, 14th season
Assistant coaches: Chris Scheldt, Caden Brainard, John Hunger, Pablo Peschiera

SCHEDULE

The Flying Dutchmen begin the 2026 season Saturday, Feb. 21, at 1 p.m. at Wabash College in Indiana.

It is the first of 10 nonconference games, including four at home and six on the road in Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.

Hope's home opener is Friday, March 6, at 4 p.m. against The College of Wooster. MIAA play starts Saturday, April 4, at 1 p.m. against Kalamazoo College.

"We have some new teams on the schedule, and we're excited about it," Schanhals said. "All of them will be good preparation for league play when you have to win games to get to the tournament."

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Players Mentioned

#29 Jack Balmforth: G; 5' 11"; Junior; Business

#3 Caden Brainard: FOGO; 5' 9"; Senior; Engineering

#31 Jackson Early: M; 6' 0"; Junior; Accounting - Public Acct

#22 John Foster: D; 6' 0"; Junior; Exercise Science

#12 Gibson Heethuis: A; 5' 11"; Sophomore; Biology

#14 Will Jewell: D; 6' 2"; Junior; Public Accounting

Players Mentioned

#29 Jack Balmforth
: 5' 11"; Junior; Business
: G

#3 Caden Brainard
: 5' 9"; Senior; Engineering
: FOGO

#31 Jackson Early
: 6' 0"; Junior; Accounting - Public Acct
: M

#22 John Foster
: 6' 0"; Junior; Exercise Science
: D

#12 Gibson Heethuis
: 5' 11"; Sophomore; Biology
: A

#14 Will Jewell
: 6' 2"; Junior; Public Accounting
: D