Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Albion College

Calendar on Mobile

Full Calendar
mlax
8
Winner Albion ALBION 14-4
5
Hope HOPE 15-3
Winner
Albion ALBION
14-4
8
Final
5
Hope HOPE
15-3
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Albion ALBION 2 2 3 1 8
Hope HOPE 0 3 1 1 5

Game Recap: Men's Lacrosse | | Marissa Smego

Let's Dance! MLAX wins MIAA Tournament, 8-5

HOLLAND, Mich. – This senior class can finally say they did it. 

After falling in two MIAA Tournament Championship games and suffering a pandemic shortened season, the Albion College men's lacrosse team claimed the 2022 MIAA Tournament, defeating Hope College 8-5. The Britons have secured the automatic bid from the league for next week's NCAA Tournament. 

Senior Jack Gogonis had the game of his life between the pipes. Gogonis made 14 saves, each one more impressive than the next, limiting the Flying Dutchmen to just five goals. Hope was averaging over 17 goals per game going into Saturday's championship contest. 

In front of Gogonis was an incredible corps of defensemen. Will Tessin, Bear Nelson, Gage Thrall, Joey Tatar and Chad Burton were just five of a number of Brits who contributed in disrupting the potent Hope offense. 

Albion drew first blood by getting on the board four minutes in. Jace Conley scored off a pass from Brendan Mercier to give the Britons the early momentum. The visitors tacked on a second goal before the end of the period, thanks to Jacob Castles, giving the Brits a 2-0 lead after one. 

Within the first three minutes of the second quarter, the Flying Dutchmen battled to tie the game at two, scoring a pair of quick goals. With 11 minutes before the half, sophomore Brock Yabs put the Britons back on top with a goal, assisted by Sam Puzevic. 

Hope tied the game at 1:38 before the break, but senior Grant Chaffee made sure to give his team the lead before halftime. A one handed pass from Conley connected with Chaffee, who scored while falling with five seconds on the clock. The lead, and the momentum, was in favor of the Brits, 4-3 at halftime. 

Albion scored two straight out of the half to build a three goal lead. Conley found Timmy Salinas for Albion's fifth goal of the afternoon. Two minutes later, Puzevic netted his first of the day for a 6-3 Albion lead. 

A Hope goal was quickly answered by Gerald Haadsma. The senior captain rifled a shot past the Hope goalie, forcing the hosts to call timeout and sending the crew of Albion fans in attendance in a frenzy. 

Conley's NCAA leading 85th goal of the season was the icing on the cake, being Albion's only goal in the fourth. It would be more than enough, as Albion has now earned the right to do what their team shirts say – "Let's Dance."

Despite Hope holding the edge in nearly every statistical category, Gogonis and the Briton defense proved to be the difference makers, extending Albion's season. 

This is Albion's first MIAA Tournament Championship since 2018 and fifth ever in program history. 

And the best part about it? The senior class of Nelson, Tatar, Haadsma, Conley, Gogonis and Chaffee finally get to taste the NCAA Tournament. 

On Sunday, the Britons will find out their location, time and opponent for next week's NCAA Tournament. The selection show will be streamed at 9 p.m. EST on NCAA.com.
Print Friendly Version