One season ago, a 3-1 record or a one-goal loss on the road would have been disheartening.
While a loss is still disappointing, things look different a year later.
This season, the men’s lacrosse team is more than likely thrilled to hold a 3-1 record at the outset of the season, especially given that a youthful roster faced the daunting prospect of two early season games against nationally ranked opponents.
“I think the key for us right now, particularly early on, is just to get better every week,” said Head Coach Ted Spencer. “We do have a good core of veterans, [but] for these freshmen, they really have to learn the ropes as we go.”
In the team’s most recent contest, Fairfield lost its first game of the season to Bucknell, 9-8. The Stags came into the game ranked 16th in the nation in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Men’s Lacrosse Division-I poll.
A factor contributing to the loss was that, for the first time this season, Fairfield played from behind for the entire game.
Bucknell came out of the gate quickly to the tune of a 3-0 first quarter lead.
Despite the fact that the Stags answered with two fast goals at the start of the second quarter, Bucknell never lost control. The Bison again scored three straight in the latter part of the second quarter and took a 6-3 lead into the half.
Bucknell continued the trend by scoring the first two goals of the second half.
To the Stags’ credit, the young team did not break.
A goal from senior attackman Travis Nelson began a third-quarter streak of four-straight goals for the Stags. The stretch brought Fairfield out of the early hole and within striking distance of Bucknell, but it was not enough for a win.
Spencer said that occasional lapses and growing pains throughout the season are inevitable as a blend of veterans and new freshmen starters continue to learn how to mesh.
“The reality of it is that we have two starting attackmen and two starting midfielders who are freshmen,” said Spencer. “You have to understand that there are going to be mistakes that maybe you can’t control.”
Regardless of the loss, the Stags have looked impressive since the season began.
Following a season-opening victory against Providence, the Stags surged to gain three-straight wins. The team’s season already includes an impressive 14-9 victory over Dartmouth in the Stags’ home opener, as well as a 10-7 win on the road against ECAC opponent Rutgers, which was ranked 19th in the nation at the time.
“[Our start is] really big,” Spencer said. “You lose guys like Greg Downing [’07] and Mike Bocklet [’07], who are two of the all-time leading scorers in the program; now we are going into a new year with some great young talent, with some great veterans.”
Veteran leadership, according to Spencer, is what makes Fairfield a legitimate contender in the ECAC, even with the presence of freshmen in the starting lineup.
Dan Boudreau ’08 and Chris Ajemian ’09 are returning contributors to the midfield and have started the season strong.
Boudreau totaled four goals in the Stags’ first two games. On the other hand, Ajemian has already been tabbed once as the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) Player of the Week.
In addition, Brendan Finnerty ’08 and Nelson give the Stags a veteran presence at attack. Nelson was recently named the ECAC Offensive Player of the Week, in response to a four-goal game against Rutgers.
Defensively, seniors Chris Atwell and Matt Scanlon have looked equally impressive while competing against some of the nation’s top offenses.
Fairfield will continue its road trip with a Saturday afternoon contest against Harvard, and then return home for a game against Penn State, yet another nationally ranked opponent.
However, the Stags remain unfazed by the challenging schedule.
“Hopefully by the end of the season we’re much better as a team than we are now,” Spencer said. “That’s the goal – especially with these young kids.”
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