Men's Lacrosse Ties for First in MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

The Hope College men's lacrosse team tied for first place in the 2026 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, totaling 32 points to match Albion College.

The Flying Dutchmen received four of seven possible first-place votes. Coaches could not vote for their own teams. Albion received two first-place votes, and Trine University received one.

Trine finished third in the poll with 27 points, followed by Adrian College with 21, Calvin University with 18, Kalamazoo College with 11 and Alma College with 6.

The Flying Dutchmen return 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.

Led by head coach Michael Schanhals, in his 14th season, Hope opens the season Thursday, Feb. 12, at 5 p.m. at Northwood University.

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Players Mentioned

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

#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

#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