Men's Lacrosse Ranks 16th in Final USA Lacrosse Division III Poll

A historic postseason run propelled the Hope College men's lacrosse team to a breakthrough spot in the USA Lacrosse Division III Men's Top 20, presented by CWENCH Hydration.

The MIAA-champion Flying Dutchmen finished 16th in the poll after advancing to the national quarterfinals for the first time in program history. Hope also became the first MIAA team to advance past the second round.

The Flying Dutchmen posted a 20-1 overall record, claiming their first unbeaten regular season, then, in the NCAA Championships, defeating Ithaca College in the first round and No. 13 Bates College in the second round.

During MIAA play, Hope became the second program in league history to win three consecutive regular-season championships. The Flying Dutchmen also won the MIAA Tournament for the fifth time.

Four Hope standouts garnered All-America accolades from the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Coaches Association for the 2026 season: defender John Foster, attackman Gibson Heethuis, attackman Preston Hoexum, and midfielder Jackson Vasquez. They comprised the Flying Dutchmen's largest single-season group of All-America recipients.

Foster, a senior, and Heethuis, a junior, both made the third team, becoming the first players in Hope history to achieve distinction beyond honorable mention. Hoexum, a sophomore, and Vasquez, a freshman, received honorable mention status.

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Players Mentioned

#22 John Foster: D; 6' 1"; Senior; Exercise Science

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

#26 Preston Hoexum: A; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#3 Jackson Vasquez: M; 5' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#22 John Foster
: 6' 1"; Senior; Exercise Science
: D

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

#26 Preston Hoexum
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: A

#3 Jackson Vasquez
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: M