Posted: 04/04/07

Lax attacks competition
Men's lacrosse on pace for playoffs

Molly Cole | contributing writer
mcole2@smcvt.edu

The St. Michael's College men's lacrosse team is on a three game winning streak and it doesn't look like they'll be letting up any time soon. Currently placed first in the Northeast-10 conference, the team has already surpassed its pre-season poll prediction.

Men's Lacrosse captain Ryan Tracy. (courtesy of Seth Cole)

"We were picked to finish fourth," senior captain Ryan Tracy says, "I think that we are talented enough to improve upon that pre-season ranking."

The beginning

The team started off with two losses. They played over spring break against Molloy College, resulting in an 8-6 loss, only to lose again two days later to New York Institute of Technology 10-9. But these first two losses weren't NE-10 games, so they do not affect the team's conference ranking.

The Knights opened up their conference play at home against St. Anselm's College in the Saint's Cup, coming away with a 10-8 win.

"Winning games in the Northeast 10 is crucial and it's a very competitive conference," Head coach, Paul Schimoler says.

The team has done nothing but succeed since its game against St. Anselm's. The team went on to beat Assumption College 9-4 at home and won on the road this past Wednesday evening at Franklin Pierce College with a 15-11 victory. The Knights were up 7-0 at the end of the first quarter against Franklin Pierce , and they continued their steady play throughout the game, Schimoler says.

"There have been players that have had really hot days and at this point, it seems as though they just keep getting hotter,” Schimoler says.

Key players

The weekly honor roll for the NE-10 from the week of March 26 includes three St. Michael's players: junior Mark Agostinelli, junior Jeff Hannon and junior Greg Lazarus.

This weeks stand out player, Jeff Hannon. (courtesy of Seth Cole)

Agostinelli and Lazarus were both acknowledged for their goal scoring skills that contributed to wins against St. Anselm’s and Assumption. Hannon was praised for making six saves versus St. Anselm’s and four stops against Assumption, according to the conference Web site.

Hannon says he can't take all the credit for his consistent play.

"The defense has gotten stronger," he says. "The offense has really been clicking and every day is getting better."

Schimoler says his three main attacking players have all been playing very well and he needs Lazarus to remain productive. Schimoler also says Hannon's play is a reflection of the defense's great play lately.

"I need to keep making the saves I should make and come up with the saves I shouldn't make to help my team win," says Hannon in terms of his own performance.

"Lacrosse is such a team-based sport that every one who steps on the field is a key player. Our regulars are looked at to play at a high level," Tracy says.

Tracy also adds that the team started off their season practices with a lot of inter-team scrimmages allowing the incoming first-years to adapt to the higher level of play.

Although most of the first-years don't see a lot of game time, they are expected to step up their level of play when called on to enter a game says Tracy.

Remaining goals

The game against Franklin Pierce marked the mid-point of the men’s season and the team is looking to keep their winning streak going. It has five remaining conference games against Bryant University, Southern New Hampshire University, LeMoyne College, Bentley College and Merrimack College.

"There have been players that have had really hot days and at this point, it seems as though they just keep getting hotter,” Schimoler says.

The main goal the team and coaches want to achieve is finishing fourth or better in the conference.

"We're capable of performing at that level", says Schimoler.

Tracy shares his coach's feelings reflecting on last year's play.

"Last year the first lacrosse playoff home game was held at SMC in the school's history, and we won."

Tracy says although he hopes to get a bid into this year's playoff season, the team has a lot of work to do before then.

The teams next home conference game is on Saturday, April 7 versus Southern New Hampshire.