FSU Lacrosse Opens Season with Win

After their first game was postponed due to inclement weather, the Frostburg State University (FSU) Bobcats opened their season with a blowout win at home against DeSales University (DSU). The Bobcats were explosive on offense, scoring 12 goals. The defense played a solid game as well, only allowing three goals. Spenser Love and Chris Rios led the way for the Bobcats, as they each scored a hat trick. Also scoring for the team were Ryan Serio (2), Devin Colegrove, Greg Bourne, Ricky Kneebone, and Tate Rolland.

The Bobcats found the net early and often. Love was the first to find the net, as he scored only five minutes into the game. At the end of the quarter, Rios scored his first of three. Serio scored to start the second, and Colegrove had the assist. A few minutes later, Rios found the net twice, scoring two goals in a minute. The Bobcats fired 28 shots at the goal.

The Bobcats were unable to shut out the DSU offense, as they scored a goal at the end of the half to make the score 5-1. DSU scored just twice more, but the goals were few and far between. The FSU defense kept them contained. DSU only made 11 shots on goal.

Defensively, the Bobcats were aggressive and physical. Defender Kevin Kinney forced four turnovers, while Zach Burkhardt and Zach Douglas each forced two. Goalkeeper Tyler Haines played an excellent game in the net, saving eight of 11 shots.

One key to the blowout win was winning the turnover battle and keeping the ball out of DSU’s possession. They won 11 faceoffs to DSU’s seven, and their 49 groundballs trumped DSU’s 41. Senior Billy Lark played a key role here, as he led the way with six groundballs, and he won 10 faceoffs out of 15.

“We played a great game today,” said Haines. “It was a good win. Everyone did their job well. The offense and defense played well today. This is a great way to start the season.”

Burkhardt added, “No one tried to do too much. We wanted to play a good team game today, and we did.”

“Our goal is to be first or second in the conference. We want to be in the NCAA tournament,” said Burkhardt. “We played well today, but we have to play better if we want to get there. This is just the start,” he added.

In 2013, FSU finished 13-7 overall, but their goals are higher this season. At the end of 2013, the Bobcats lost to Mary Washington in the CAC tournament. In the ECAC tournament, they won two games against DSU and Centenary University. They fell short to the number one Albright, however.

Returning 17 seniors, the Bobcats have a lot of experience and depth that will be essential as they make a run at the CAC championship this season. If this game is any indication, the Bobcats have a great chance to win big game this season.

FSU will go on the road to play Shenandoah on Feb 26 at 4 p.m. They will return to Bobcat stadium on March 1 to host Lebanon Valley.