By Taylor Nigrelli
Staff Writer
The lacrosse team (3-10, 0-7) ended its season Sunday with a 17-11 loss to George Washington (10-6, 4-3) at home. This came after a 20-9 loss against Richmond (9-7, 5-2) Friday. Coach Ryan Lynn blamed the losses on slow starts.
“We went down 6-0 early, we really dug ourselves a hole,” Lynn said. “We took a timeout and regrouped, but it was too much to overcome.”
Senior Danielle Drabin picked up five goals and two assists on the weekend, ending her senior season as the team’s leading scorer (37 points).
The Bonnies didn’t come close to reaching Lynn’s preseason goal of making the Atlantic 10 Championship, as they finished winless in league play. According to Lynn, there are multiple reasons why this goal wasn’t achieved.
“First off, I really underestimated the caliber of the A-10, and (sophomore) Cara Callahan’s injury hurt a lot,” Lynn said. “With her out, teams went right after Danielle. If (Callahan) was in, she would have been doubled and really opened up opportunities for everyone else. Overall, the bar was set too high; this season was a reality check.”
However, Lynn and the Bonnies aren’t resigned to being a last-place team every year. They’re already working toward improving next year.
One of the main ways they’re looking to improve is through recruiting; the team will have at least six freshmen next year. Lynn said he already has hopes of how the team will fit together.
“I think this year’s junior class will take on a strong leadership role and look to guide the underclassmen,” Lynn said. “But also with Cara (Callahan) coming back and Erin Thomas plus a strong recruiting class, I’m hoping that they can spark the seniors to raise their level of play.”
Lynn said he also believes the team will continue to improve now that it has a whole year of his system down.
“Now that almost everyone knows the offense, we can focus elsewhere early in the season,” Lynn said. “This gives us time to work on draw control and transitions – that’s where we need the most work.”
But mastering Lynn’s system wasn’t the only positive of this season.
A few of the players, including freshman Mackenzie Jordan, viewed this year as a learning experience.
“Well, now I have a whole year of playing at this level under my belt,” Jordan said. “Going into each game, I didn’t know what I would be facing. Next year will be different because I’ll know what to expect from each team – their strong players and the kind of plays they run, things like that.”
With the experience gained this year, the team hopes to do what it hasn’t done since 2007 — make A-10s. Although next season is almost 10 months away, the team has already started practicing for next year.
Some, such as 2011 leading goal-scorer Callahan, can’t wait to get back out on the field and compete.
“Being injured this year has motivated me so much to work hard during offseason so I can be healthy to play next year,” Callahan said. “My goal for next season is to be healthy to play by the time season starts.”
Callahan is also one of those who believes the team can improve drastically next year.
“Another goal for next year is to actually make it to the A-10 tournament because it’s definitely possible,” Callahan said. “I think this year was our learning and turning point for our program.”
Although this wasn’t the season that the team was looking for, many of the players don’t seem fazed. Jordan summed up the team’s attitude in one sentence.
“Our next season starts as soon as our last one ends,” she said.
In that case, the 2013 St. Bonaventure lacrosse season is underway.
nigreltn11@bonaventure.edu
