...The first game is always one filled with a little added jitters and butterflies in the player's stomach, especially for those playing their first collegiate lacrosse game. After waiting four weeks to get to play a game, the team's emotions were at an all-time high as we were eager to get the season rolling. Luckily for us, the rain and snow held out, and for a February night in Albany, the conditions were perfect for a season opener. From the get-go, we knew this was going to be a great test. RPI is always a well-polished team, and their first possession almost led to an early goal. However, our defense stiffened up, and held the RPI offense to only 5 goals and minimal quality opportunities. Offensively, the cards got going starting with goals from senior captain Brett McClelland and senior Joe Kramer. Brett and Joey both finished with hat-tricks, while Brendan Damm rounded off the scoring with one. The game was definitely a great way to start the season, and gave the team some needed confidence as we prepared for a long weekend...
...Farmingdale is always a scrappy and hard fought game. We know every year they circle us on their schedule and they are looking to come away with a W. Discipline and playing our game would be essential if we wanted to win, and that's exactly what we brought. The first half was closer than we wished, with the score 4-3 in our favor. The second half we came out flying, and after a quick goal by the Rams, we began to pull away with the win. Offense was led by our attack unit, as Damm, Lawrence, and Kramer all finished with three goals each. Shout out to Brady Helmer for his first goal as a Plattsburgh Cardinal. Top to bottom, it was a great game. Best part, we were home on beautiful Long Island, so the crowd was filled with friends, family, and alumni of the past supporting us. We were able to head home for the night which is always a nice benefit of playing on the island. I think its fair to say the upstate boys are alwayss impressed with all that L.I. has to offer...The next day, at Town Hall in Hicksville, the parents and families put on an awesome dinner and raffle to support the team. The spread was impressive to say the least, and it was great to get the cardinal family together and meet the new parents and families of the program. I'll probably repeat this multiple time throughout the season, but our programs parents and families are the best around. We get spoiled for sure, but they do a great job in making this team of 50 players, into a family of hundreds...
...After a bus ride to New Jersey and a nice stay in the Madison Hotel, we finished our long trip with a dominant win against FDU, in which we were able to get everyone some playing time. To say we came out to a fast start is probably an understatement, as the score at the end of the first quarter was 10-1. Brendan Damm led the way with 4 goals, while Tom Duggan and Cole Anderson scored their first goals in Cardinal red, and Brendan Schecker netted 2 for his first collegiate points. After a tailgate, we boarded the bus and began our venture back to the Burgh, which went surprisingly fast. On a sidenote, I suggest the movie Argo, great watch even on a bus...
...Tomorrow we face Norwich at the Fieldhouse here in Plattsburgh with the opening faceoff set for 4p.m. It will be another nice non-conference challenge for us as we continue preparing ourselves for SUNYAC play only a few weeks away. Hopefully we can get a large crowd together for our home-opener, which would be nice after a long road trip this past weekend. I'll be sure to post another blog after the game tomorrow, but until then, have a nice day and go cards!
I'll leave everyone with a team favorite....or at least a favorite of the country fans on the team....
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