After our demoralizing game against Roberts Wesleyan, we had nine days to recover and then prepare for yesterday’s home game against Daemen University. While, I think the extra time was beneficial, on two of those days we practiced in a hard driving, cold rain. Sometimes, when you are out in weather like that, you ask yourself, “are we gaining anything, by being out here”? But, with no indoor option, there was no other choice. And looking back on it now, I think it forced us to sharpen our focus, and play on, in very uncomfortable conditions.

As in many of our games, earlier this season, we jumped out to an early lead. The Lions led by a score of 6-0 less than a minute into the second quarter. But by half time, the Wildcats of Daemen, had kind of stemmed the tide and trailed by 8-3. It felt like this was a critical point in the game. The third quarter has been our achilles heel in a number of our games. We have given away leads and let teams get back into contests. Not this time! Molloy outscored Daemen 6-2 in the third quarter, and was able to coast to a 17-7, much needed win. Overall, it was one of our best performances of the season. We played a full sixty minutes, with no real lapses, relentlessly contesting everything. We got balanced scoring, with six different players finding the back of the net. And everyone got to play. Perhaps, more important than any of that, this game felt different. We played with a collective focused energy, in other words, Mojo! Let’s hope it sticks around.

So, now we go back on the road with a huge Conference Game at Mercy on Wednesday. The Mavericks are an excellent team and will be looking to avenge last year’s loss to us. I expect a hard fought battle. We will need to bring our A Game, for sure.

*On a different note, on the recommendation of my friend, Ed Greenway, I just finished reading a great little book. “Chop Wood, Carry Water”, by Joshua Medcalf, won’t take you long to read, but it’s messages will stay with you.