Dom Thomas ‘20
Staff Writer
Fresh off of the best season in Merrimack College lacrosse history, this year’s team is looking to win a second National Championship in a row. Early morning conditioning, lifts and practices throughout Fall is just the beginning for a team that now knows what it will take to reach their ultimate goal in May.
The message this fall has been crystal clear from the start. “We are completely turning the page from last Spring and focusing on this year,” said head coach Mike Morgan at the team’s first meeting of the year in early September. With the team’s first fall scrimmages approaching, rapidly all egos for incoming freshman need to be erased and all, if any, sense of entitlement gone amongst the team.
The Warriors have looked hungry through the first couple practices, grinding it out in the weight room and competing against one another on the field fighting for their right to be on the field. Recently voted team captain, Mike O’Connell, “This group has so much potential and talent we do not want to waste a single day of working towards our end goal.” regarding the upcoming season.
Merrimack men’s lacrosse will travel to Marist University soon to take on both Marist and Springfield College (D-III). Christian Thomas ‘21, a key member of last years run to Gillette Stadium and MVP of the National Championship game, said “the energy is infectious through ut the team and we can not wait to compete against someone other than ourselves.” The 2019 men’s lacrosse team is itching to get that first showdown in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Catching up with some fans that have been following Merrimack Men’s Lacrosse for the past few years, they are excited for the spring season. I was fortunate enough to catch up with Steve Thomas, who played hockey at Babson College and won a National Championship in ‘82. When asked what is the biggest thing the team needs to focus on this year, Thomas replied, “This team did not win the NCAA National Championship, this team needs to create its own identity as well as set its own goals.”
This Merrimack lacrosse team is certainly drawing attention around the college as well as the lacrosse world after last season. As all championship teams experience, every team you play wants to come at you like it is there Super Bowl. This upcoming season we will see what this years group of 42 men is made of. So much of the success that Merrimack had last year was earned, they look to continue to earn that success and respect in the lacrosse world with their first regular season game against NYIT in February. However, as Coach Smith always says, “Games in May are won in September and October.”
