Men’s Lacrosse Cruises to 4-1

The men’s lacrosse team has started this spring season off with a bang. The Bobcats won the first four of their games so far this season, though they suffered a recent loss to Washington College. The team is currently ranked third in the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) standings. Their dominating performances  have definitely put the other teams on notice.

The season started off with a decisive win over DeSales. They came out of the gates fast, jumping out to an early five to zero lead. Overall, the dominant win was a team effort as five players scored goals in the game.

Midfielder Chris Rios dominated the first half, in which he scored all three of his goals. Spenser Love scored three goals as well and senior Ryan Serio picked up from where he left off last season scoring two goals and picking up an assist as well. The last two goals were made by Devin Colegrove and Greg Bourne. The final score of the game was 12-3.

The second matchup for the team this season had the Bobcats facing off against the Shenandoah Hornets. This game featured the lowest points the team has scored all season, but the team also only allowed two points in the game. Just like the first game of the season, Ryan Serio and Spenser Love showed up to play. Both scored two goals in this game with Love recording one assist. Unlike the first game though, Spencer Barnett, who went scoreless in the first game, tallied up two goals showing the team’s depth. The final score for the game was 9-2.

The dominating ways for the team continued into the team’s third game of the season against Lebanon Valley. Once again Serio posted good numbers, scoring three goals and four ground balls. Rios, who is also having a dominant season, scored another two goals and recorded four ground balls as well. Like the previous game, this one as well a showed how dangerous the team’s depth can be when Tate Rolland scored three goals. Rolland is a sophomore who plays midfielder.

The Bobcats steamrolled through Washington and Jefferson, scoring an incredible 24 points. FSU could not hold the shut out, but they held Washington and Jefferson to a mere three goals. There were 15  players scored who a goal in the game. The team leader in goals for the game was, yet again, Serio who scored five goals in the game on just 13 shots. Blake Grudzien was second with three goals. Colegrove, Love, Rios and Rolland are among those who scored in the game.

This season the team is poised to make an impact. The team is ahead of their wins at the same time last year so it won’t be surprising to see them win more games this season than last.

The team’s offense is what is garnering to most attention, but the team’s defensive pressure should not be overlooked. Defender Zach Burkhardt is among the CAC leaders in caused turnovers with nine so far on the season. The Bobcats have outscored their opponents 56-12. That is an average of allowing only three points a game.

Perhaps the most dangerous facet of the team is how deep they are. More than 12 players have scored a goal this season, showing that this win streak is a team effort. The Bobcats are proving to be a dangerous team this season, but they play in an competitive division.

If the Bobcats want to chase the NCAA tournament, they need to turn up the heat and avoid tough losses like those against Washington and Jefferson.

The Bobcats go on the road to play Saint Vincent on March 12 and Salisbury on March 15. The game against Salisbury will be their first CAC game of the season and likely has playoff implications.