UConn Defeats BC and URI - Climbs to #14 in the Nation

~Eagles Embarrassed~

A much hyped UConn-BC matchup this past weekend did not live up to expectations...in the best way possible.  The Huskies jumped out to a 6-2 lead at halftime and never looked back, handing the #12 Eagles an 11-5 loss.  As stated in a previous email this is UConn's first victory over BC in ten attempts since the Eagles joined the MCLA in 2004.

Box Score: http://mcla.us/scores/games/11598/

~URI Defeated~

UConn went down to Kingston, RI yesterday afternoon to face off against a scrappy URI team.  On what has to be one of the worst fields in the league the Huskies kept URI at arms length despite the Rams unwillingness to go down easy.  At the end of regulation UConn pulled out a 10-9 victory over URI.

Box Score: http://mcla.us/scores/games/11599/

~Moving up the Polls~

With these two wins the 9-1 Huskies continue to move up the polls, and have reached #14 in the nation in the MCLA top 25. http://mcla.us/polls/ and #7 on Laxpower http://www.laxpower.com/update12/binmen/rating05.php   A Top 10 ranking in both polls is a legitimate possibility depending on how the next 10 days go. 

~Who's Next?~

Two teams remain on the UConn schedule; #8 Buffalo is the big one this Sunday (1pm Depot Field - Sherman Field rain site. We will have score updates on twitter) and the following weekend vs. last place Boston University at Nickerson Field.  I'm sure many of you older guys are saying 'Buffalo is in the PCLL'?   Buffalo used to be in the Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association which housed a pre-varsity Michigan program, who won the conference every year and  something like 5 MCLA national championships.  Buffalo got sick of being Michigan's annual conference tournament punching bag and decided that a change in conference to the PCLL, despite their relative geographic isolation to its members, was an easier path to nationals. Ironically, shortly after Buffalo's move to the PCLL, Michigan moved up to Division I and now the CCLA is a relatively weak conference, but regardless Buffalo is now in the PCLL and we have to deal with them. 

A win this weekend over the Bison would be significant in many ways.  Assuming UConn beats BU (tough to assume, every game is a battle...see URI) they would secure the top seed in the conference tournament which I believe would then be held in Storrs.  A win over Buffalo could also mean a trip to nationals regardless of how UConn performs in the PCLL tournament.  Even if UConn was upset in the conference semifinals, three wins over nationally ranked opponents would be hard for the selection committee to ignore, and would put them in good position for an at-large bid. In many ways the playoffs start this Sunday vs. Buffalo, a loss is not season ending by any means, but a win takes this program to new heights previously unimaginable. 

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Huskies Defeat New Hampshire in mid-week matchup, #12 BC on deck

~New Hampshire~

Yesterday the Huskies got a tough W against a stingy University of New Hampshire team.  UNH came into the game with a 1-4 record, however all of their loses were to nationally ranked teams (#11 CU 14-9, #13 Clemson 5-2, #10 Buffalo 10-6, #8 VaTech 8-6) so the Wildcats were obviously hungry for a win and not to be taken lightly.  UConn came out strong in the first with a 3-1 lead, and would hold a 5-4 lead at the half.  UNH would take a one goal lead with 9 minutes left in the 4th, however UConn would score 2 goals in the final 5 minutes to put the game away.  Box Score http://mcla.us/scores/games/11597/

~#12 Boston College~

Last week prior to the Northeastern game I wrote an email comparing this years team to the 2006 team.  With the win vs #18 Northeastern this past weekend the comparisons can continue.  Like the 2006 team, last Saturdays Northeastern win resulted in a National Ranking for the Huskies where they landed at #23 in the nation.  http://mcla.us/polls/ Like the 2006 team both teams reached a 7-1 record, like in 2006 this years team has slowly started to create some chatter about a trip to nationals http://forums.laxallstars.com/index.php?p=/discussion/282/2012-d1-tournament-field and also like the 2006 team which was named the 'Riddell Lacrosse Team of the Week' after their win against Northeastern, this years squad was featured on a website highlighting their Nike and Warrior apparel http://412.laxallstars.com/uconn-gear-day/

However the comparisons eventually need to end somewhere, and hopefully it is this Friday.  While it is nice to wax poetic about the 2006 team the elephant in the room is that one week after they had attained a national ranking, Boston College came to town and knocked the snot out of them on Sherman Field, taking them right back out of the top 25 with a 15-4 loss.  (06 schedule http://www.laxpower.com/update06/binmen/XUCTXX.PHP) The reality is that since Boston College joined the MCLA in 2004 UConn is 0-10 against the Eagles.  This years squad obviously doesn't want to repeat history, and will have an opportunity to put themselves into the record books with a win on Friday.   A win would mean many things; breaking a 10 game losing streak over a hated BC program, adding a second victory over a nationally ranked team to their resume, positioning themselves for a likely first round bye in the PCLL playoffs, and continue to show that they are the real deal.  Personally, I would a
 rgue that this Fridays game is probably the biggest game in UConn history, and from what I'm hearing it sounds like the boys are expecting a raucous crowd to welcome the Eagles.   If you can make it, make sure you are at Depot Field this Friday at 7pm to show your support and do your part to welcome BC to Storrs.

Pregame Matchup: http://mcla.us/scores/games/11598/

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UConn Lacrosse Ranked #23 In the Nation

~MCLA Ranking~

For the first time in six years, the UConn Men's Lacrosse team is nationally ranked. Today the MCLA released their weekly poll, and UConn came in at #23 in the nation. This is the Huskies first national ranking since 2006 when they hit #25 on the poll, a ranking that also came after a victory over a nationally ranked Northeastern squad. The Huskies will look to continue their winning ways vs. New Hampshire tomorrow, and #12 Boston College on Friday.

Poll: http://mcla.us/polls/

Lax Magazine Poll Recap: http://laxmagazine.com/college_men/club/2011-12/mcla_poll

~Alumni Day~~

Alumni day was a great success and thank you to all that participated.  After a great alumni game, food, and drinks the alumni were treated to an impressive performance by the Men's Lacrosse team.  While the score was close for most of the game the Huskies lead was never in doubt as they kept the #18 Northeastern program at bay. Box score: http://mcla.us/scores/games/11596/

~Canavan Having Record Year~

2011 PCLL Rookie of the Year Kevin Canavan (http://mcla.us/player/26656/kevin__canavan/) is now the Career All-Time Leading Goals Scorer in UConn Lacrosse history with 52 goals in only his second year. Dave Salemme '04 had held the record for the last 8 years.  Canavan is currently #9 in the nation in Points Per Game (http://mcla.us/stats/2012/field-1.html) and is #1 in the PCLL in several statistical catagories (http://mcla.us/stats/2012/PCLL/field-1.html) including PPG, GPG, and Goals.

~NCAA Final Four~

This year the final four will be held at Gillette Stadium (May 26th-28th).  UConn Lacrosse will be there in full force.  Myself, Scott Apelgren and several others have already began planning for this event.  More info forthcoming.

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April 14th 2006, Storrs, CT

On this day nearly 6 years ago a 7-1 UConn team hosted a nationally ranked Northeastern program at Depot Field.  The game was originally planned for Sherman Field, however a Women's Varsity game scheduled for Morrone Stadium at the same time was moved to the artificial surface of Sherman in the 11th hour due to a steady rain.  This left the men's program scrambling to move their game to Depot with warmups about to begin.  In those days, when Sherman first became available for team use, games at Depot Field were rare because the field surface was terrible, and the lighting sub-par.  There was some obvious concern among the team to move from the comfortable confines of Sherman, to the terrible conditions of Depot for such a big game. However Head Coach Dino Mattessich injected confidence into the team "Depot Field? We'll beat them in a parking lot" he told the team prior to faceoff.  To combat what was a superior Northeastern team Mattessich implemented a methodical 1-4-1 offense for the game that focused on clock management and ball control.  This game plan became obvious when Justin Oliver won the faceoff, took the ball to X, and essentially stayed stationary daring Northeastern defenders to engage him.  The Husky game plan, combined with a slow grass surface, steady rain, and poor lighting, was a deadly combination for the ranked Northeastern team.  After the first half Northeastern held a two goal lead with a score of 6-4. Goalie Brandon Pepe, who would have 15 saves on the day, shined in the 2nd half and held Northeastern to only one more goal, while the Husky offense chipped away getting the game to 7-7 where it would be at the end of regulation.  The game would ultimately go into 3 overtimes, with Northeastern easily out-shooting the Huskies, however Pepe would stop them dead in their tracks each time.  Towards the end of the 3rd overtime Justin Oliver, who had 4 goals on the day, would take a hard bounce shot that would make it past the Northeastern goalie, giving UConn the W.  After the game UConn Lacrosse would no longer be 'under the radar' and cracked the national polls for the first time in team history.  It proved a pivotal win that established a new chapter in UConn Lacrosse history.

Many parallels can be drawn between this years program and the '06 team.  Both teams had first year head coaches whom injected new confidence into a program that had disappointed in previous years.  Both teams started out hot, gaining some national buzz, and had one loss to a nationally ranked program going into their NU game.  And for both teams, Northeastern would prove to be a defining test for their season.

So this weekend Northeastern will again come to Depot Field, with a national ranking, to face a one loss Husky team.  It is my hope that everyone that is able; alumni, parent and friend of the program, will be at this game to support the team because this Saturday, like in 2006, a win over Northeastern will confirm a new chapter of UConn Lacrosse, so let's make sure we are there to witness it.

~Alumni Day April 7th~

We are nearing 30 RSVPs for the Old Huskies Game on Saturday which is great, and I'm sure that number will continue to increase.  My original plan was to have an Odd years vs. Even year graduates game, however for whatever reason the majority of those that have RSVPed graduated in odd years, so we may just pick two teams at random.  Either way it will be a great time and I hope all that can come will.  The weather looks amazing as well with temps in the 60s.

After the Old Huskies Game we will have a dedicated section at Red Rock Cafe for us to eat/drink prior to the Northeastern game at 7pm.  Directions to Red Rock can be found here http://www.redrockcafe.net/.

For details on alumni day click here http://uconnmenslacrosse.blogspot.com/2012/03/uconn-lacrosse-announces-alumni-day.html

To RSVP for the Old Huskies Game click here
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDRDZmlZU3FEYTlvSkd4TWFmcEszTUE6MQ#gid=0

~BeanShot~

The team will be taking part in a special event this June called the BeanShot.  It is being dubbed as the lacrosse version of the BeanPot.  It will be a four team tournament held at Harvard Stadium on June 9th.  The event is being sponsored by the Boston Cannons and MuscleMilk.  We will organize some sort of alumni function in conjunction with this event so stay tuned.

BeanShot press release http://uconnmenslacrosse.blogspot.com/2012/04/uconn-to-take-part-in-inaugural-bean.html


~Fundraising~

If you can't make Alumni Day this weekend, or you do come and have a great experience, please consider giving to the program.  The process is quick and easy and more information on giving can be found at this link, http://uconnmenslacrosse.blogspot.com/2009/11/support.html. Coach Scordato is always available to answer your questions related to donations paulscordato@gmail.com.

~Golf Outing~

Brandon Pepe is exploring possibly organizing a golf outing this summer.  This is in its earliest phases but if you want to assist with organization, or have some suggestions for the event, please contact Brandon at brandon.pepe@gmail.com.

See everyone Saturday

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