After returning from Florida, I think we were all feeling pretty good, going into the next portion of our schedule. Along with our East Coast Conference opponents, we have a number of games against some very good Non Conference teams. The first of those Non Conference games, was this past Wednesday, versus Bentley University, up in Waltham, MA. I am always leery of weekday games that involve same day travel. I worry that the team will leave their legs on the bus. The longer the ride, the more it concerns me. It took more than four hours for our bus to get to Bentley.

It was a cold and damp day, but my fears about bus travel, proved to be unfounded, as we began the game fairly well. It was fast paced, physical and hotly contested. The Falcons are a fast, athletic and skilled squad, but we were hanging in there with them. At the half, the Lions trailed 7 – 5. But the Falcons came out flying in the second half, showing why they are a top twenty team. We were outscored 9 – 1 in the second half, and were basically, run off the field. The Lady Lions had not absorbed such a beating, since the first game of LAST season! On the long ride back to Long Island, I struggled to come up with an answer to the question, “what happened to us out there?” I am still trying.

But, there was no time to dwell on the Bentley game. On Friday, we were back on the bus for an even longer ride up to Buffalo, for Saturday’s ECC Opener against the D’Youville Saints. The last third of the trip was in snowy conditions, causing it to take us nine hours to arrive. The extra time made it impossible for us to practice at D’Youville, so we tried to make the best of the situation, by getting a little, parking lot practice in.

The highlight of my Friday, was a visit to the hotel by my old friend, fellow Mercyhurst Lacrosse Dad, and fellow Lacrosse Coach, Ed Greenway, who lives nearby! It was very big of him to come out in lousy weather, and we had great visit, catching up on our families and our retired selves. I only regret that we didn’t have more time, and that I forgot to get a photo (next time).

The field at D’Youville was not very well cleared of snow, when we arrived, and of course it was cold. I had already been concerned about this game, with these conditions, I was worried. I thought we were the better team, but we have had this habit of only playing to the level of our competition, and that can catch up with you. It was a sloppy, mess of a game, especially early on. It was a back and forth affair, but when we took a 9 – 6 lead early in the third quarter, I thought we could seize control of the game. But, the Saints outscored us, 4 – 1 from that point on, and tied it at 10, with under three minutes to play. Neither team could score before the end of regulation time, so to Overtime it went. We had a number of good opportunities to win the game, but with only seconds remaining in the second Overtime period, D’Youville found the back of the net, for an 11 – 10 win.

Our once promising season now seems to be in peril. With this defeat, we have put ourselves in a tough spot in the Conference. It has been a difficult few weeks, with lots of travel and less than ideal conditions. But, there is still a lot of lacrosse to be played, and we will have ample opportunity to resurrect ourselves. I believe we are a resilient team, and that we will find a way to right this ship. Next up, is Roberts Wesleyan at home, this Thursday.

GO LIONS!

Though it was a difficult road trip with an extremely disappointing outcome, I am grateful to have made it. I was fortunate enough to have two short but wonderful visits. First, with Ed Greenway and then with Jon and Diana, who made the trip to Buffalo for the game (this time I didn’t forget the photo).