» Men’s Lacrosse

Getting in the zone

From left, sophomore Marc Roberts tries to prevent sophomore Riley Austin from getting to the goal during practice Monday at Higgins Stadium. In two games during spring break, the Blue and Gold outscored opponents 20–12. MICHELLE BOULÉ/THE ITHACAN

More than 2,700 miles from campus, the men’s lacrosse team sprung into its new season over spring break. A pair of games in California helped build chemistry and provide just the spark the team was looking for.

Maintaining control

From left, SUNY-Cortland junior Justin Battino faces off against junior Michael Hennessy in the Blue and Gold’s 11–5 loss April 7 at Upper Terrace Field. The South Hill squad has won .538 percent of its faceoffs this season. ANDREW BURACZENSKI/THE ITHACAN

A lacrosse ball sits on the white chalk line in the middle of the field. Two netted pockets of lacrosse sticks sit just a few blades of grass away on either side, waiting for a whistle.

Squad back on track

From left, SUNY-Cortland sophomore Dave Gallagher defends senior Nic Heckman in the men’s lacrosse team’s 11–5 loss to No. 4 Cortland on March 7 at Upper Terrace Field. The Blue and Gold are 3–7 on the season. ANDREW BURACZENSKI/THE ITHACAN

As the Upper Terrace Field clock counted down to all zeroes, a sea of red cheered. It was the first time SUNY-Cortland had defeated the men’s lacrosse team in the regular season since 2007. The six-goal margin may seem like a blowout, but the matchup gave the Bombers confidence going into their next conference game.

Blue and Gold fall to No. 3 Hamilton

The women’s lacrosse team saw its recent five-game winning streak come to an end at Hamilton College today. The No. 3 ranked team in the nation won 15–3 in a statistically lopsided contest.

Coast to coast

For most athletes on the men’s lacrosse team, home is anywhere from two blocks from campus to a neighboring state along the East Coast. This season, though, two Bombers can say their hometown is not anywhere near the eastern portion of the United States.

Staying in the hunt

Members of the men’s lacrosse team huddle up after practice March 11 at Cornell University’s Schoellkopf Field. The Bombers look to rebound from their rough 1–5 start Saturday against Maritime College in Throggs Neck, N.Y. Andrew Buraczenski/The Ithacan

Every season, spring break is an opportunity for the men’s lacrosse team to become a tightly knit squad and compete at a high level in California. This year, though, it was looking for more than team bonding; it also hoped to gain its first win of 2010.


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