TRIBUNE REPORT CARD: Redmen Lacrosse: A
By Matt Chesser, The º«¹úÂãÎè Tribune
Expectations were high for the º«¹úÂãÎè men's lacrosse team coming
into this season. Head Coach Tim Murdoch declared before the
squad's first game that "Anything less than a national championship
would be a disappointment this season."
And although the Redmen fell just short of their stated goal this
year-losing 14-9 to the Guelph Gryphons in the gold medal game at
Nationals-the 2008 season can't be considered anything other than a
success.
The Redmen finished the regular season with a 7-3 record-the second
time in six years that they have finished above .500. After
defeating the Bishop's Gaiters in an Eastern Conference playoff
game, º«¹úÂãÎè knocked off the six-time defending champion Brock
University Badgers, 13-9, to set up a final game showdown with
Guelph. Despite four goals from º«¹úÂãÎè attackman Lukas LaCava, the
Gryphons defeated the Redmen on the strength of six unanswered
goals in the second quarter to capture their third Baggataway
Cup.
The future looks bright for the Redmen, as the squad will lose only
three players to graduation and will return their star
forwards-Nick Moreau, who led the team in regular season scoring
with 30 points in 10 games, and LaCava, who had a team-best 12
points in three playoff games. Ace transfer student Matt Jankowski,
defensive stalwarts Jonathan Zimmerman and Brendan Farrer, and
netminder Guy Fox will also be back next year as the Redmen look to
win their first-ever Bagataway Cup.
Tribune MVP: Nick Moreau, attackman
Tribune Player to Watch: Will Edwards, midfielder