Eagles News
01.27.2010 - [Lacrosse]
Photo Courtesy: Thea Campbell
IRVINE, CA --- At the outset of its second season, Concordia's club lacrosse program looks to take a step up this year, with the introduction of its first full recruiting class when the team takes to the field for its opener this Saturday (Jan. 30) against Cal State Channel Islands at 4 p.m.
This recruiting class, as well as several key walk-ons, will bolster the return of some battle-hardened veterans from last spring, the inaugural season for Concordia Lacrosse.
If the success of this fall's off-season scrimmages and tournaments is any indication, a dramatic improvement over the program's inaugural 1-8 season could be on the horizon, starting in the first game, hosted at San Clemente High School.
Last year's team played its first official conference schedule in Div. 2 of the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference (SLC). Other SLC Div. 2 programs include Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, Biola, Pepperdine, UC Irvine, Occidental, and Cal State Channel Islands, which played a partial schedule in its first year of existence in 2009.
With two teams in the conference pegged to finish in the top-20 nationally, Concordia is predicted to finish sixth of eight teams in SLC Div. II play in 2010.
"This is the only year we will be able to sneak up on our conference," second-year head coach Will McMinn, the architect of CUI Lacrosse, said. "After this season, the other teams will know what's coming."
The quality of recruits in this year and next year's classes, combined with a solid group of returners for a 2011 campaign where the team won't lose any players due to graduation all bodes well for the future of Concordia Lacrosse.
"The commitment and determination shown by the boys so far this year has been extraordinary," McMinn said, "They have been working very hard. This year's team is an exceptional group of young men who are likely to achieve results that belie both their lack of experience and depth."
To view a mini photo gallery of this year's team, click here, or view the gallery via the Photo Galleries link on the left-hand side of the CUI homepage.
Article courtesy of CUI Lacrosse
If the success of this fall's off-season scrimmages and tournaments is any indication, a dramatic improvement over the program's inaugural 1-8 season could be on the horizon, starting in the first game, hosted at San Clemente High School.
Last year's team played its first official conference schedule in Div. 2 of the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference (SLC). Other SLC Div. 2 programs include Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, Biola, Pepperdine, UC Irvine, Occidental, and Cal State Channel Islands, which played a partial schedule in its first year of existence in 2009.
With two teams in the conference pegged to finish in the top-20 nationally, Concordia is predicted to finish sixth of eight teams in SLC Div. II play in 2010.
"This is the only year we will be able to sneak up on our conference," second-year head coach Will McMinn, the architect of CUI Lacrosse, said. "After this season, the other teams will know what's coming."
The quality of recruits in this year and next year's classes, combined with a solid group of returners for a 2011 campaign where the team won't lose any players due to graduation all bodes well for the future of Concordia Lacrosse.
"The commitment and determination shown by the boys so far this year has been extraordinary," McMinn said, "They have been working very hard. This year's team is an exceptional group of young men who are likely to achieve results that belie both their lack of experience and depth."
To view a mini photo gallery of this year's team, click here, or view the gallery via the Photo Galleries link on the left-hand side of the CUI homepage.
Article courtesy of CUI Lacrosse
