Three-game losing streak. Three games remaining in the season. Three stand-out juniors.
Are these three the reasons why Fairfield men’s lacrosse team can turn their season around and make some noise going into the preseason?
The Stags are 4-6 overall and 2-2 in the ECAC, but have been unable to gain consistency this season.
“This team is like Jekyll and Hyde because we have been really good at times and we have been really bad at other times,” said Head Coach Ted Spencer.
The Stags lost their last non-conference game on the road to North Carolina, 18-9, on Saturday afternoon. The Tar Heels notched 10 goals in the opening 30 minutes for the first time this season.
Mike Bocklet ’07 scored a team-high four points on four goals for the Stags. North Carolina improved to 3-9 overall, despite remaining winless in conference play.
“It seems that in a lot of games we have the lead and then we make silly mistakes,” said Bocklet. “We change our game and it has come back to hurt us in our losses. We let teams take us out of our game.”
The big three of Bocklet, Greg Downing ’07, and Mike Kruger ’07 are having solid yet quiet seasons.
Downing missed three games, while role players have been inconsistent. Downing and Bocklet are among the top four players in their first year in the ECAC conference netting two goals per game. Kruger is in the top 10 in saves each contest.
“It was good to get presence for the team and we want to do it for ourselves and the school,” said Bocklet. “This season has had a lot of letdowns, because we had a lot of hope coming in. We felt that we have let down people who are coming out here to watch us play.”
The sophomores have stepped us this season as five players are ranked in the top 10 in individual team statistics.
Travis Nelson ’08 is third on the team in points scored with 21 off of 16 goals netted, which ties him with Bocklet for best on the team. Brendan Finnerty ’08 is sixth on the team with 11 points.
“We have a lot to build on for this season and next season as well,” said Spencer. “We aren’t getting as much help from our freshmen class as we were last season, and our sophomore and junior classes are strong and have a lot of potential.”
The Stags have three remaining games to try to reach the postseason. Two of these games are against the top 20 teams in the nation. No. 14 Loyola, Md. will be the Stags first opponent followed by No. 8 UMass.
The season finale will be against St. John’s, who has yet to record an ECAC victory.
“We have had some of the worst losses this season in my entire 11 years here, and that is frustrating,” said Spencer.
The Stags’ next game is April 22 at 1 pm at Lessing Field against No. 14 Loyola.
“Winning three games in a row would be great, but it will be a challenge,” Spencer said.
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