The Hope College men's lacrosse team is chosen to repeat as Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association champions in the 2019 season.
The Flying Dutchmen topped the MIAA preseason coaches poll with eight points and six
first-place votes. Coaches could not vote for their own teams.
Hope, the 2018 regular-season champion, finished four points ahead of runner-up Albion
College, the 2019 MIAA Tournament champion.
The Flying Dutchmen are coming off the most successful season in their varsity history.
Under the direction of head coach Michael Schanhals, Hope captured its first MIAA
championship en route to a 15-2 overall record. The Flying Dutchmen set a school record
for wins in a season and longest win streak 15 games.
Senior goalie Nick Schanhals of North Muskegon, Michigan (North Muskegon HS) is back
after leading all NCAA Division III players with a 6.10 goals against average.
Sophomore forward Rocco Mularoni received honorable-mention all-region honors from
the Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association. He recorded 53 goals — the
second-most in team history. He was also named the MIAA's Offensive MVP.
Ten of the Flying Dutchmen's 11 All-MIAA selections return.
Hope's first match is Saturday, February 23 at Elmhurst College (Illinois.)