Men’s lacrosse nets preseason win
On Feb. 20, the Keene State College Men’s Lacrosse team scored a 15-3 pre-season win in a scrimmage against Southern New Hampshire University. With a win behind them, the team is ready to take on the regular season with confidence, while keeping their two main goals in mind: win the Little East Conference Championship and make it to the NCAA tournament.
“I’m very excited for this season. I know it’s going to sound corny, but this team is like a good wine; these kids are just going to get better the more they play and get time on the field,” head coach Mark Theriault said.
This year, the team is relatively young, with the addition of ten freshmen players, three of which are starting. Senior Leo Mullin explained the adjustment to having a young team after having a team filled with upperclassmen the year before.
“Everyone is going to have to learn how to play with each other, especially the three freshmen that are starting. Two of them are attacks and it will be hard for them at first, but once they figure everything out, it will be all good,” Mullin said.
Even though college lacrosse is a much faster-paced game than high school lacrosse, freshman Nick Abbott believes that the younger players will not affect the game.
“Our freshman class is really good, but it’s mostly offensive players— our defense is truly the anchor of our team,” Abbott said.
Michelle Berthiaume / File Photo:
Junior Ryan Hart will play a big role in the team’s offense this year. Hart played in all 17 of the Owls’ games last season, recording 18 goals and 16 assists.
Before the conference games begin, the team starts their regular season against nationally ranked teams and two colleges, Hamilton and Wesley.
The teams will travel to Florida for spring break. In addition to the team bonding on the beach, they will have to continue to train hard. They have to keep in mind that once they return, the conference games begin.
“Playing against that tough competition in the beginning definitely gives you either a wake-up call or confidence based on how you do in those games. That mini-season before the conference provides a great opportunity to prepare for later in the season,” senior Robert Remy said.
The men’s lacrosse team lost to rival Eastern Connecticut in the LEC title game last year after beating them in the regular season. Remy said he thinks this year the team’s technique on how they approach each game has to change.
“We need to go into a game with better planning—since we beat Eastern Connecticut in the regular season and then they beat us in the final, we need to work on what we can adjust after the regular season to win the games we lost then, in the conference.”
Remy continued, “I think each game will be a stepping stone and a learning process. We can’t look ahead. We have to play game by game and stay fresh.”
That is exactly what Coach Theriault has in mind.
Remy added, “Coach [Theriault] always stresses doing the little things. I’m sure many collegiate coaches say the same thing, but we really reiterate that in everything we do. In every practice, every drill, even when we go get water, we are running off the field, and always making sure we are doing the little things correct.”
Although what the team does in practice varies by weather, the goal is to have the team conditioned and in shape during the cold and winter months so the team can focus more on skill work during the warmer months of the season.
Michelle Berthiaume / File Photo:
Senior Joseph Purdon will be a key part of the Owls defense this year.
“Besides the little things, coach always tells us to win the battles that involve being physical and our skills will take care of the rest,” Mullin said.
Of course, winning every game possible is the team’s number one goal, as they are determined to bring the LEC trophy back to KSC. Theriault, four-time LEC coach of the year, said in the end he just wants the team to have a good time
“I’m all about winning, but I really want them to have a great experience and have fun, which is why we take these fun trips like Florida and last year we went to San Diego, California.,” Theriault continued, “I want the team to bond. It’s almost like a reward for having to practice in this awful weather. We still practice except we get to do it in shorts and flip flops.”
In his 15 years coaching the Owls, Theriault has claimed four LEC titles. He said if this team maintains their confidence and determination, they will end their season with a fifth LEC championship title.
Kendall Pope can be contacted at kpope@keene-equinox.com
