Lacrosse bends opponents and sticks

By Joe Haubrich

Rider’s Lacrosse Club is working hard this fall to prove that not only it is a force to be reckoned with on the club scene, but also to prove to the University that it is the true “tough” club on campus.

The team has been practicing on the back fields, enduring poor weather and the bumps and bruises that come with playing such an aggressive sport.

“A certain team recently claimed its members are tough because they play in the rain and snow,” said junior defensive captain Jason Lynott. “What makes our sport tough is not just the physical shape and endurance you need, but dealing with the hits and bruises. You don’t hear about kids getting concussions, getting paralyzed, or perhaps dying in a sport like Frisbee.”

The team isn’t taking a stab at other club sports, but seeks more recognition from students and administration.

“Most people couldn’t take one shot from any of us,” said senior attacker David Edlow. “We’ve practiced in the rain and in the snow. People just don’t see us because we’re at the back fields.”

The team now practices regularly, preparing for a tough spring season.

“We’re trying to take the program more seriously,” said Lynott. “We now have more talented players that know what they are doing. After being on this team for a few years, it’s very comforting to know that some of the people around me now are not those that I will have to teach the game, but rather good players that I can work together with and will make me a better player.”

The team has had issues finding enough players to consistently field a large enough squad to have much-needed substitutions during games.

“We’re having trouble with numbers, as far as getting kids to consistently come out,” said junior defenseman James Flynn. “We have a good group of kids who come out to every practice, but we are always looking for other people to come out.”

The squad faced Rutgers on its new turf field this fall in order to build team chemistry and to put its practice to use.

“Historically, we haven’t played any games during the fall,” said Flynn. “This is the first fall that I believe we’ve competed in.”

Rutgers only called Rider for a game because it thought it would have an easy time with the small, inexperienced team of old, according to Edlow.

“They thought they could whoop us, but they were in for it as they found out,” he said.
Rutgers won the game 10-6, but the Broncs left the field with their heads up, knowing that they had given Rutgers an outstanding game.

The team got a spark on offense from senior attacker Tim Henderson who compiled a goal and an assist. Lynott and sophomore Travis Bishop were especially valuable on defense, according to their teammates.

“We worked very well as a team,” said Lynott. “Our defense played hard, which helped our offense by getting them the ball. More experience on offense out of the attack and midfield positions gave the defense a rest as well.”

The team was very proud of its offensive production. Six different players netted a goal in the team’s only competition of the season.

“We ended up losing the game, but it was nice to see that our goals were scored by six different individuals, which means that we don’t have to rely on one or two people to carry the team anymore,” said Lynott.

One moment of the game that put a smile on faces and will stay in the minds of the team occurred when Lynott bent his stick, crushing an opposing player.

“He was going for a ground ball; I saw the shot and my eyes lit up,” said Lynott. “Next thing you know, he was on his back. I broke my stick laying him out, which was an accomplishment that feels almost as good as scoring a goal.”

Members were looking forward to more action this fall, but the weather and scheduling conflicts altered plans. Now the team sets its sights on the spring, where it will play a full schedule against opponents including Rutgers, Philadelphia University and rival Rowan among others. The spring season will also be highlighted by the playoffs as well as The Beltway Bash, a tournament in Maryland.

“I’m looking forward to playing a full schedule and I want to see a lot of people at our games,” said Edlow. “People better watch out because now the Broncs can [mess] people up.”