“Buffs Lacrosse
2010 Preview”
The 2009 Colorado men’s lacrosse team comes
into the 2010 season with determination to get back where they left off just a
little under a year ago, and get another shot at what the Buffs came so close
to achieving.
Colorado’s 2009 season consisted of a 15-7
record and a #6 rating overall averaging 10.4 points per game versus just over
7.6 goals against average. A promising
season ended with a hiccup however, by losing at home against rival BYU in the
RMLC Finals by a score of 11-10. Also
early on in the offseason, head coach John Galvin stunned the team with his
unexpected resignation after 6 years at the position. Now under the tenure of Pete Stevenson, the
exhilarated Buffaloes have redemption on their mind, and the schedule will prove
just that.
Colorado will play opponents just as
challenging as last year, as they face all top 5 teams according to last year’s
rankings. But it does not intimidate Stevenson at all, having full faith in his
players to get the job done.
“I believe
everything is what we expect. There is greatness in this team and we feel like
this is a year we can take it to the next level. On a personal level, I expect
my players to give their best effort every minute on the field."
To highlight some of their
opponents, the Buffs will face defending champion Michigan (preseason #1) at
home, who ended Colorado’s run in the Final Four of the MCLA Tournament last
May. They also will have a chance to get
even with Michigan State (#20) and BYU (#3).
Other notable contests consist of Lindenwood (#13), Chapman (#2), Simon
Fraser (#4) and Minnesota-Duluth (#6). They will begin the season at home
against New Hampshire March 5th at 7pm.
But coaching is only one side of
the coin, as a great mind is only tested with the ability of willing
players. The most daunting task during
the offseason without a doubt was the returning player’s adjustment to Stevenson’s
coaching style from that of Galvin’s.
“I think there was some confusion
at first learning the new drills and what Coach Stevenson wanted to implement,
says senior Marty Taffet, “ but at the end of the day lacrosse is lacrosse.”
When asked about which players to
keep an eye on this season, the coaching staff responded swiftly. Assistant
coach Mike Ryder claims that freshman Doug Lilborne “has emerged
as a physically dominant player for our offense. His size, fearlessness and
finishing ability will make him a threat for the Buffs for the entire
season.” Then there is junior James
“AJ” Blackburn, who Stevenson believes “will impress
every time he touches the ball.”
Defensively, veterans Mike
Geocaris and Marty Taffet highlight a dominant force in front of the cage. Assistant Keith Lohmuller can only describe
Taffet as “big and strong. He likes to be physical on the field and is
extremely quick for a guy his size.” Lohmuller describes Geocaris as “another
big defenseman who will anchor the close defense. He has good take-away
ability and a great physical presence around the crease.”
Come May, the organization expects nothing
less than a re-appearance in the RMLC Finals and another chance in the MCLA
Tournament. Anything less would be
deemed unacceptable by both the players and coaches.